County Championship: Mohammed Siraj Shines On Warwickshire Debut, Took 4 Wickets Against Somerset

Mohamed Siraj, the second Indian cricketer signed for Warwickshire this season (Krunal Pandya played for the county in the Royal London ODI Cup), made his Championship debut against Somerset at Edgbaston on Monday and produced a brilliant bowling performance at Edgbaston. Siraj finished his first day with bowling figures of 4/54.

The 28-year-old began picking up wickets quickly, conceding only 25 runs in his first 13 overs and picking up three wickets, including that of Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq. At the end of the first day’s play, Somerset were on 182 for eight wickets, with the help of a half-century from Lewis Gregory.

Mohammed Siraj Shines In His County Debut Match

Siraj gets Imam-ul-Haq! ?

Big wicket.

Match Centre ? https://t.co/7qmT8n1G3L

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— Warwickshire CCC ? (@WarwickshireCCC) September 12, 2022

Siraj’s first County Championship wicket came from Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq, who edged and out-edged straight to the wicket-keeper to restrict Somerset to 17/1.

Jayant Yadav Made His Debut Along With Mohammed Siraj

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The Bears received their caps during this morning's team talk. ?

?#YouBears | #WARvSOM pic.twitter.com/z36AgYQFnd

— Warwickshire CCC ? (@WarwickshireCCC) September 12, 2022

Along with Siraj, right-arm off-break bowler Jayant Yadav made his Warwickshire debut, taking the wicket of Somerset opener Tom Lammonby early on.

Somerset was reduced from 46/2 to 46/5 as Siraj took two wickets in two balls, dismissing George Bartlett and wicketkeeper James Rew on the first ball. Lewis Gregory rescued the team with an unbeaten 60 off 93 balls, but Henry Brooks didn’t let Somerset settle with a couple of strikes and Siraj picked up his fourth wicket at the end of the day.

The last three overseas matches proved to be nothing special for Mohammad Siraj. He had picked up just seven wickets in his last three overseas Tests for India, including the one at Edgbaston against England in July where he leaked runs at an economy of 5.73 and 6.53 in the two innings.

“I can’t wait to join up with the Bears squad. I have always enjoyed playing in England with India and I’m excited to experience County Cricket,” Siraj said after joining Warwickshire.

This season, Indian players took full advantage of their free time and played county cricket, signing up with different teams. Cheteshwar Pujara, a veteran Indian batsman, has returned to the Indian team following a strong performance for Sussex in the county championship. It is not wrong to say that county cricket is good for Indian players.

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