Graeme Swann heaps praise on England's seamers as they bowl their way to success over the West Indies.
Brilliant success sets England up for more glory, says Graeme Swann
What a brilliant win we had in the Test match up in Durham.
After the success we had at Lord's, Straussy (Andrew Strauss) stressed how important it was for us to win the series two-nil and build up some real momentum in the longer form of the game.
We won the toss again and posted a big total - which is all you can ask for as a spinner as you get to bowl last on a wearing pitch. To win by an innings was really pleasing after losing a day to rain.
The seamers have been bowling terrifically with Jimmy Anderson in particular in sensational form. He's bowling at 90mph and swinging it both ways - which means fielding at slip you are always in the game.
With Broady (Stuart Broad) also in excellent form and Graham Onions and Tim Bresnan providing excellent support, we're developing a really good stable of bowlers. Add a fit Andrew Flintoff into the mix and it's an exciting prospect.
Chuffed
On a personal note, I was really chuffed to perform so well at Lord's. I turned up to the game two days before and didn't expect to feature much with the ball.
But when I came on, I kept managing to grab wickets. It was almost like the power of thought was doing it for me - it's great when it happens like that because you have plenty of days as a spinner where you feel like you're bowling well and it doesn't happen.
Batting-wise, I went in with a joie de vivre attitude of if it's up, it's off. I've not really had the opportunity to prove what I can do with the bat in Test cricket, so it was nice to get some runs.
We will take plenty of confidence from this series into the Ashes. We set a target of winnings these two Test matches and getting in some decent form which is exactly what happened.
The batsmen are in good nick - we've got Matt Prior in great form coming in at number six and looking as good as anyone in that position for a while. And we've even found a deputy wicket keeper in Paul Collingwood!
Right now, we've got to switch our attention to the shorter form of the game, with a three match one-day series versus the West Indies. I don't think it will be a problem for us to adjust - when you win you just can't wait for the next game, whatever or wherever it is.
Momentum
The West Indies may feel the opposite and would rather have had some time off, but they're a hard team to gauge.
We fully expect them to come out all guns blazing against us and they have some real class performers in their side. Just seeing what Chris Gayle did in the second innings up at Durham when he smashed 50was a reminder of what his side are capable of.
We'll get down to Leeds tonight and have a meeting before an intense training day tomorrow - which the lads can't wait for. It must be the buzz of winning! This series is crucial for us as we build up towards the World Twenty20.
A series win would set us up nicely for that and then if we perform in the World Twenty20, just imagine the momentum we'd have going into the Ashes!
That's all in the future though - for now, we'll be concentrating on this three match series and getting a result. We'll be giving everything to make sure we've got that winning feeling again.
Until next time. Cheers, Swanny
