Friday 1 September 2017 13:41, UK
Five-wicket hero Ravichandran Ashwin made a winning debut as Worcestershire climbed back into second in Specsavers County Championship Division Two with a 189-run success over Gloucestershire at New Road.
The Indian star completed a productive opening game for his adopted county by taking eight wickets in total - including 5-68 in the second innings - and making useful contributions with the bat.
He left the outfield to a standing ovation while proudly displaying the match ball after Gloucestershire were dismissed for 211.
Worcestershire's sixth County Championship win of the campaign moved them 19 points clear of Sussex, who have a game in hand.
They will head into next week's top-of-the-table clash with leaders Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge full of confidence after this comprehensive victory.
Nottinghamshire remain on track for an immediate return to top-flight cricket after beating Northamptonshire by 163 runs on the final day at Trent Bridge.
The Division Two leaders needed just over an hour to take the final five visitors wickets, with Adam Rossington unable to bat due to the thumb injury he sustained on the second day.
Samit Patel closed out the contest, finishing with 3-17 and Jake Ball picked up 3-86, after Northants resumed the day on 167-4.
Nottinghamshire gained another 20 points and remain unbeaten at the top of the table, ahead of next week's clash at home to second-placed Worcestershire.
Durham completed their third win in five games as they beat Derbyshire by nine wickets at Chester-le-Street.
The visitors were all out 15 minutes before lunch for 354, leaving Keaton Jennings and Tom Latham to score 39 for the maximum points win which took Durham above their opponents in the Division Two table.
Two lengthy rain showers ensured Kent's entertaining with Leicestershire at Canterbury ended in a draw.
Having secured a modest first-innings lead of 17, Leicestershire wobbled badly when batting second time around and had limped to 135-6 and a lead of 152 when the players left a floodlit field of play in light drizzle for the tea interval on day four.
The rain intensified thereafter, leaving umpires Martin Saggers and Russell Warren with no choice but to abandon the match as a draw with Kent banking 11 points to Leicestershire's 12.
