Ashwin not desperate for ODI return, Sumanth ton helps Andhra to big lead

CHENNAI: Ravichandran Ashwin, who has just returned from England after a stint with Worcestershire in the County Championship, is pleased with the way he is bowling. His 4/71 helped Tamil Nadu bowl out Andhra for 309 on Day 3 of the Ranji Trophy match, although the lead the visitors have taken looks good to fetch them three points.

B Sumanth, who was unbeaten on 72 on Saturday, made 109 before falling to Ashwin. Tamil Nadu were 112/2 in their second essay. M Vijay had to retire on 13 due an ankle sprain.
Ashwin was sharp, bowled a steady line and length and kept testing the batsmen with variations on a flat deck. “It was not difficult to adjust, because conditions here are harder than in England. I found a little bit more spin here (Chepauk), it was a good wicket but still I could slow it down,’’ said Ashwin.

Despite being the best off-spinner in the world, at the moment in the shorter format there seems to be a shift from finger spinners to wrist spinners. Does he think it is a disadvantage being a finger spinner?
“The day I become a decision-maker I will be in a better position to answer this question. As I have said before, I never play for the crowds.

“I enjoy cricket wherever I go out to play and I would say even if I play a fifth division match tomorrow, I will enjoy it. The atmosphere does not matter. I love playing the game and I am not missing anything.”
Probed how keen he was to make a comeback to the limited-over arena, Ashwin said he was not desperate.
“This is a difficult question to answer, because I don’t know if it will be a comeback. Comebacks are not easy and I am not desperate at all.

“One-day cricket will come knocking at my door, as I have not done too much wrong. When I do get that opportunity, I will try and rise to the occasion,’’ explained Ashwin.
Sri Lanka is up next and Ashwin should get back in action. A year back, his dream run started against Sri Lanka in the Emerald Isle. “Like I told you it’s a day at a time and I find cricket a lot more easier when you play a day at a time. It’s more about enjoyment at this phase of my career,” signed off Ashwin.

Brief scores
Group A: In Hyderabad: Day 3 of Hyderabad-Maharashtra match washed out
Group B: In T’Puram: Jharkhand 202 & 89 (Saxena 5/27, Monish 4/42) lost to Kerala 259 & 34/1.
Group C: In Chennai: TN 176 & 112/2 (Abhinav 54 no) vs Andhra 309 (Sumanth 109, Hebbar 64, Shoaib 43, Ashwin 4/71, K Vignesh 3/73).
In Cuttack: Tripura 6/0 vs Odisha.

ashok.v@newindianexpress.com