Ashwin to build strengths in England

India

Spin bowler Ravichandran Ashwin is determined to orchetrate breakthroughs, rather than just performe a holding role, during India's tour of England later this year.

Spin bowler Ravichandran Ashwin is determined to orchetrate breakthroughs, rather than just performe a holding role, during India's tour of England later this year.

Ashwin has gathered 104 wickets and a miserly economy rate of 2.90 in 19 Tests since November 2011's debut, but is yet to play the longest form of the international game in the United Kingdom.

That chance will come in July and August, when the Indians and English clash for five fixtures at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, the Rose Bowl in Southampton, Old Trafford in Manchester and Lord's and The Oval in London.

"I had a chat with a couple of people who have done well in England. A few interesting things have come out of it. Bowling in a way that they have been doing takes practice. I need to see if it is working for me and find ways to take wickets," Ashwin told the <i>Hindustan Times</i>.

"There have been times where the team wanted me to hold an end up, which is not my strength. I would like to get back to my strength and start spinning the ball really hard and get batsmen out. In terms of strategy, I have a couple in my mind which I'll be working on."

The tourists have named a strong squad, including the uncapped Ishwar Pandey, Pankaj Singh and Stuart Binny – and the recalled Gautam Gambhir. Veteran left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan, meanwhile, has been dropped.

"A lot of new guys have come in the team.. So that way it is going to be a fresh start. Besides, the experience of players like Gautam will be really handy. As a whole, it is a great challenge. I am very optimistic," added Ashwin.

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