FIVE-wicket hero Ravichandran Ashwin made a winning debut as Worcestershire climbed back into the second promotion spot in County Championship Division Two with a 189-run success over Gloucestershire at New Road.

The Indian star completed a productive opening game for the County by taking eight wickets in total, including 5-68 in the second innings, and making useful contributions with the bat.

He left the outfield to a standing ovation proudly displaying the match ball.

Worcestershire's sixth Championship win of the campaign moved them 19 points clear of Sussex, who have a game in hand, as Gloucestershire were dismissed for 211.

The County head into next week's top-of-the-table clash with leaders Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge full of confidence after the comprehensive victory against their neighbours from down the M5.

It was a welcome return to form for the hosts after a disappointing NatWest T20 Blast campaign and defeat to Sussex in their last Championship match at New Road.

Most of the County's batsmen made sizeable contributions and Ashwin was well supported by the seam attack with Ed Barnard again outstanding.

Gareth Roderick, skipper Phil Mustard and first-innings century-maker Jack Taylor all got into the 40s for the mid-table visitors but their resistance was ended in mid-afternoon by Ashwin and co.

Gloucestershire resumed on 55-3 as Ashwin came straight into the attack for the morning's second over and apart from a brief spell by Brett D'Oliveira bowled from the New Road End for most of the day.

But Barnard made the first breakthrough as nightwatchman Tom Smith (9) was trapped lbw by a delivery which kept low.

Ashwin collected his third wicket of the innings in the next over as George Hankins fell lbw for a duck before Roderick and Mustard defied the hosts for 13 overs.

Skipper Joe Leach brought himself into the attack and knocked back the middle stump of Roderick (47).

Mustard and Taylor provided stiff resistance in a partnership of 71 in 18 overs but the contest was effectively ended when they both departed in quick succession.

Mustard (40) presented Leach with a comfortable catch at mid off off rookie paceman Pat Brown and Taylor (43) fell lbw to Ashwin who completed his nap hand when Kieran Noema-Barnett (22) was caught at fine leg.

Leach rounded off Worcestershire's victory by bowling Liam Norwell for a duck to secure his 50th Championship wicket of the campaign.