[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Following the loss of "the Duke" John Hastings, Worcestershire have signed Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for the remainder of the 2017 season. This will be his first spell in the English domestic game, and if snapping up the world's third-ranked Test bowler can't save the county's crumbling season then nothing will. I'd hoped for a decent fast bowler, but in all fairness the Pears do need someone who can threaten with an old worn ball, because too many times this summer they've found themselves biffed all round the ground by stubborn tail-enders.

All things being equal, the new man will make his New Road debut against Gloucestershire next Monday.