India’s Afghanistan Test hero Manav Suthar has signed a county contract with Warwickshire

MUMBAI: Fresh from an impressive Test debut against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh, young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar is all set for his first stint in county cricket after signing a short-term contract with Warwickshire.The 23-year-old made an immediate impact in his first Test, returning figures of seven for 62 – including six for 33 in the first innings and one for 29 in the second – while contributing 28 runs with the bat.Warwickshire County Cricket Club announced the move on Wednesday: “Warwickshire County Cricket Club are delighted to announce the signing of Manav Suthar on a short-term contract. The India international will be available for selection for the next two rounds of the Rothesay County Championship. Suthar will be hoping to make an immediate impact as Warwickshire look to retain their Rothesay County Championship title.”The Rajasthan spinner heads to England with an impressive first-class record, having taken 129 wickets in 29 matches before earning his Test cap. The county stint is expected to provide valuable exposure ahead of India’s two-Test tour of Sri Lanka in August.Warwickshire chief executive James Thomas said: “We are delighted to welcome Manav to the Bears at a really exciting time for the team. We have played some good red-ball cricket already this season and Manav will bring a new dimension to our bowling attack. It shows how highly he is rated in India after being selected in their Test squad last week, so it will be great to have him around.”Meanwhile, Suthar expressed his excitement about the opportunity.“I’m really excited to be joining Warwickshire for the next two County Championship games. The team have started the season very well so I hope I can help them in their quest for the title.”Suthar is expected to be available for the Warwickshire County Championship game against Yorkshire in Scarborough from June 12-15, followed by the match against Somerset in Taunton next week.