Why Did Washington Sundar Join Hampshire for the County Championship?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Washington Sundar joins Hampshire for crucial County Championship matches.
- He previously had a successful outing against England this summer.
- His experience in Test cricket will benefit Hampshire's campaign.
- Sundar's return marks a significant moment after a three-year break from county cricket.
- His performance can influence the outcome against Somerset and Surrey.
Southampton, Sep 11 (NationPress) Washington Sundar, the talented off-spin bowling all-rounder from India, has officially joined Hampshire for the concluding two rounds of the current County Championship season, as confirmed by the club on Thursday.
Under the terms of the agreement, Sundar will compete for Hampshire in their matches against Somerset at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton from September 15-18 and against the defending champions Surrey at the Utilita Bowl from September 24-27.
This season, Sundar was part of India's Test squad during a thrilling 2-2 series draw against England. He scored 284 runs with an impressive average of 47, including a remarkable maiden Test century at Old Trafford which played a key role in securing the draw.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Washington to our club for the County Championship. His performance against England this summer was outstanding, and he will be crucial for us in the upcoming matches against Somerset and Surrey,” stated Giles White, Hampshire’s Director of Cricket.
At just 25, Sundar has participated in 40 first-class matches, including 13 Tests, accumulating over 1,800 runs at an average of 34. With the ball, he has taken 91 wickets at an average of 28, with his best bowling figures being 7-59 against New Zealand in Pune last year.
This engagement with Hampshire signifies Sundar's return to county cricket after a three-year hiatus. Previously, he played for Lancashire in 2022, where he made an immediate impression by achieving a five-wicket haul on his debut against Northamptonshire.
Other notable Indian players participating in the UK domestic cricket season this year include Khaleel Ahmed (Essex), Tilak Varma (Hampshire), Yuzvendra Chahal (Northamptonshire), Ishan Kishan (Nottinghamshire), and R Sai Kishore (Surrey). Additionally, Mayank Agarwal is currently under a three-match contract with Yorkshire, while Jaydev Unadkat is playing for Sussex.