Expected a good return from this series: Ashwin

By Chetan Narula Port of Spain, Aug (23) Ravichandran Aswin rounded offthe four-Test series with two centuries and 17 wickets and theIndia spinner said he had expected a handsome return from thetour of West Indies, which India wrapped up with a 2-0 winafter the fourth match was abandoned. The fourth Test ended in a frustrating draw yesterdaywith rain and wet outfield allowing no play on fourconsecutive days at the Queen’s Park Oval. "Personally I would say that I expected this kind ofseries," said Ashwin. "Not necessarily one where I expected two hundreds but Iknew batting contributions would be very important. I had noidea that I would be batting at number six before I got here.But I put in the hard work without any expectations back homefor a month and half. And it really paid off. "Expectations are something that help you reach greaterheights. Going forward I think being Indian cricketers,expectations are something that you always expect and I hope Ican live up to the expectations and keep winning games for thecountry," he added. Ashwin led the charts with his 235 runs, including twocenturies, and 17 wickets, comprising two five-wicket hauls,that earned him the man-of-the-match award. It was the sixth time he has earned this in a Testseries, the most by an Indian cricketer, moving ahead ofVirender Sehwag. "I need to give West Indies a bit of credit. They get thetop order quickly and allow me the time and opportunity. Mostof the other teams give hundreds to the top order. It’s apsychological thing I reckon," he said, with a smile. "In this Test I was trying to get a good bowl in thismatch because personally I enjoy my five-wicket hauls morethan my hundreds. I am not just saying for the sake of it. Ireally do mean it. "The one hundred I would really relish and put it past afive-wicket haul is the one I got in Kolkata, and probably theone in St.Lucia. It is about the context of the game ratherabout getting runs or taking wickets," he added. However, the 29-year-old from Chennai did miss out on the200-wickets mark in Test cricket, and also missed on becomingthe joint quickest to get there, along with Australia’sClarence Grimmette who got there in 36 Tests. Ashwin now has 193 wickets in similar number of matches.PTI CN ATKATK