Middle-order batsman Ajinkya Rahane, who failed to make the cut in the 15-member Indian squad for the upcoming World Cup, scored a brilliant century on his County debut for Hampshire. Rahane, who had managed just 10 runs in the first innings of the Division One game against Nottinghamshire, smashed 119 runs off 197 balls in the second innings. His innings was studded with 14 boundaries. In the process, the 30-year-old became the third Indian to score a century on debut in the County Championship. Piyush Chawla (for Sussex in 2009) and Murali Vijay (for Essex in 2018) are the two others on this list. Rahane and Sam Northeast (133) steadied the ship for Hampshire who were in trouble at 9-2 and then put on 257 for the third wicket. The 30-year-old was bowled by off-spinner Matthew Carter before tea in the 70th over.
Ashwin to play for Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire have signed India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin as their overseas player for six matches in the County Championship. A press statement by Nottinghamshire said the off-spinning all-rounder will take over as overseas player from James Pattinson at the end of June and is expected to feature in six of the final seven red ball matches of the season. "It’s a good, competitive standard of cricket over there and I can’t wait to get started," Ashwin said. "I’m really looking forward to joining up with Nottinghamshire, to playing cricket at an iconic venue like Trent Bridge and hopefully contributing to some County Championship victories." Ashwin’s stint with Nottinghamshire will start with a match against Essex on 30 June. He will then play against Somerset and Surrey. He is expected to miss Nottinghamshire’s match against Yorkshire, which will start from 18 August. India is scheduled to play a Test series against West Indies in August, and Ashwin’s international commitments are expected to keep him away from the County Championship.
Asian Championships winner Gomathi fails dope test
Gomathi Marimuthu, who won the 800 metres gold at the Asian Championships last month, was handed a provisional suspension after being tested positive for a banned substance. The 'A' sample of the 30-year-old runner from Tamil Nadu, who clocked 2 minute 2.70 seconds to win gold on April 22, has returned positive for 19-norandrosterone, a metabolite of nandrolone (an anabolic steroid), in the test conducted during the Asian Athletics Championships in Doha. If her 'B' sample also tests positive, she faces a maximum ban of four years - as this will be her first doping offence - while India will lose a gold medal from the Asian Championships. India had won three gold, seven silver and as many bronze medals in the Asian Championships.
