Ravichandran Ashwin On Cusp Of Ending As Top Wicket Taker Of WTC

Off-spinner R. Ashwin will most likely end as the top wicket taker in World Test Championship (WTC) cycle after India's final against New Zealand next month as the needs just four more wickets to

Bowling in England will, however, be a lot more different than in India. Since India will be playing the WTC final next month, the early part of England summer and with there being rain around, the conditions will most likely support the seam bowlers.

On Wednesday, Cummins said conditions in England would be more favourable to New Zealand than India. Ashwin's average in the lone Test he played in New Zealand as part of WTC cycle was an unimpressive 33.

However, Indians can draw some inspiration from the fact that they played in Southampton, the venue of the WTC final, only three years ago during the Test series against England, and ran the home side close before succumbing to a 60-run loss in fourth Test of the series.

Ashwin, who was part of that Test and bowled 51.4 overs for just three wickets, was completely overshadowed by Moeen Ali who took nine wickets to script an England win. Moeen's success though came towards the end of English summer in August-September when the wickets had become less seam-friendly.

Ashwin has played just six Test matches in England and picked 14 wickets at an average of 32.92 which is a shade better than his average in New Zealand (33) and far better than Australia (42.15) and South Africa (46.14).