A day after World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 final, India's limited-overs speciallist Arshdeep Singh turned heads on his County debut for Kent at St. Lawrence Ground, Canterbury. The left-arm pacer made the red ball talk and got the wicket of Surrey wicketkeeper Ben Foakes with an in-swinger that hit his pads and umpire did not have to think a moment before raising his finger.
As a first change bowler, Arshdeep bowled 10 overs on the trot. The left-arm pacer did not leak runs and kept the batters on their toes. In his ninth over, he got his maiden wicket of Foakes. It is to be noted that Foakes was England’s first choice wicketkeeper in the absence of an injured Jonny Bairstow. Foakes was dropped only when Bairstow regained fitness and Harry Brook in the middle-order became irreplaceable.
After conceding 12 runs, taking a wicket and bowling four maiden overs in his 10-over spell, Arshdeep returned to bowl. In-form Australian all-rounder Sean Abbott hit him for a few boundaries. But the 24-year-old got the last wicket of the innings. Tailender Daniel Worrall got bowled as Kent got bowled for 145.
Apart from Arshdeep, Matthew Quinn and Wes Agar took three wickets each whereas Joey Evison took two wickets. No.9 batter Abbott top-scored for Surrey with 34 as the batting lineup that boasted of Tom Latham, Rory Burns, Dom Sibley and Will Jacks failed. Kent ended up taking a 156-run lead after the first innings.
Earlier, on Day 1, Kent suffered a batting collapse too losing half their side for 41. However, wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox scored 133. He was well-supported by Evison and Agar's half-centuries. Arshdeep remained not out for a single as Kent posted 301.
Arshdeep has not played competitive cricket since Punjab Kings' (PBKS) last Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 league stage game on May 19.
Dravid's role in Arshdeep playing County
Arshdeep who has showed his prowess in white-ball cricket was nudged into playing County Cricket by India head coach Rahul Dravid. "I am excited to play red-ball cricket in England and continue to improve my skills in the first-class game. Rahul Dravid has already told me it is a club with a great history," the 24-year-old had said when he was roped in by Kent for a five-match stint.
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