Ashwin opens bowling for Surrey, bowls most overs on day one

India's Ravichandran Ashwin became the first spinner in ten years to open the bowling in a County Championship game on Sunday. The off-spinner, who is playing for Surrey in preparation for England Tests next month, bowled the first over to Somerset openers Steven Davies and Devon Conway.

Ashwin was the most used bowler on day 1 of the First Class match as he bowled 28 overs, including five maidens and claimed the wicket of Tom Lammonby while conceding 70 runs. Somerset ended the day at 280/6 after skipper James Hildreth scored 107. Jordan Clark was the pick of Surrey bowlers with 3-55.

Ashwin had previously played county cricket for Nottinghamshire and Worcestershire in the past and was roped in as Surrey's second overseas player along with South Africa's Hashim Amla for the game.

India's Test squad is on a one-month break after the World Test Championship final on June 22 and are set to regroup for the England Test series on July 14.