Ashwell was a right-handed batsman who bowled right-arm medium pace. Ashwell made his first-class debut for Kent against Nottinghamshire in the 1933 County Championship. He made three further first-class appearances for the county, the last of which came against Derbyshire in the 1934 County Championship.
In his four first-class appearances, he scored a total of 42 runs at an average of 14.00, with a high score of 21 not out.
With the ball, he bowled a total of 37 wicketless overs. He died at Bebington, Cheshire on 19 August 1985.