England turn to Swann

Off-spinner added to side for third ODI

Last updated: 21st November 2008

England turn to Swann

Swann: Added to squad

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Nottinghamshire off-spinner Graeme Swann has been added to England's squad for the third One-Day International against India in Kanpur.

England go into Thursday's match having been comprehensively beaten in the opening two games of the seven-match series - leading to complaints the side is 'unbalanced'.

That has seen Swann added to the 11 that were beaten by 54 runs in Indore on Monday.

England do have doubts over Ravi Bopara, who has been unable to train because of a stomach complaint, while Ryan Sidebottom has already been ruled out with a back problem.

Sidebottom was unable to bowl after reporting discomfort in his lower back, with scans on Tuesday night proving inconclusive.

Swann, 29, feels he is in a decent position to play well if selected, since he has not been tainted by the experience of two heavy defeats.

"Because I haven't played in the first two games, I'm in quite a unique position and should I get in the 11 tomorrow - which I hope to do - I can walk out as if it is a fresh series," he said.

"The series in Sri Lanka last year was a five-match series. That is a good length series for a spin bowler, doesn't get too tired and doesn't get worked out by the batsmen."

England squad: Kevin Pietersen (capt), Ian Bell, Matt Prior (wk), Owais Shah, Andrew Flintoff, Paul Collingwood, Samit Patel, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Steve Harmison, James Anderson, Graeme Swann

Comments (10)

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Steve Haden says...

Move Bopara up with Bell as the opener and have KP in at no 3 with Shah moving back to no 6.Should score runs quicker this way.

Posted 20:35 19th November 2008

Adam Cloonan says...

The inclusion of Graeme Swann is all well and good in the slight chance Kevin Pietersen and more importantly the national selectors might actually give a player an opportunity however, Swann has already been in this England one day side. What do some players have to do to get into the thoughts of the selectors? Players such as Napier, Trott, Rashid and Joe Denly? They are all capable players, Napier would be able to get the team off to a decent start (for the first time since the days of Trescothick) if given the license opening the batting and is a more than handy bowler. Trott was unlucky to have been selected when he was out of form and Adil Rashid, although can go for a few runs occasionally, is a genuine wicket taker after all this is india, one of the places you need a spiiner of the ball. But for me the most unfortunate player going atm has to be Joe Denly. The guy has immense tallent and has the makings of a great player but how can he be if he hasn't had a chance? He can strike the ball as well as anybody but the difference? proper cricket shots, the guy oozes ability. It is pretty obvious he can handle international bowling as he has took the attack to shaun pollock no less to great effect. As a whole i feel these are the players needed to consistantly produce the kind of form we had going into the 2005 ashes series after all look at Alastair Cook the selectors saw a tallent in him and he bosts a healthy average in test cricket as a result. Denly is the way to go for England lets just hope the selectors stop getting their minds into money with the stanford series and ECB/ ICL/ IPL opportunities and think about the results of the team instead of the current crop having everything easy after all who would worry about their place in this Wnglish team? no one atm it's just disappointing to watch.

Posted 20:18 19th November 2008

Andrew B says...

Agreed Pietersen and his pals. There is a 'click' in that team and it needs to be stopped. Finally they put Swann in! Never too late England lol. Dont know how they choose the team selection but it must go like this.... 'Right boys well put one new bowler in and hopefully bowl them out before India get a big score, instead of changing the bad performing batting line up.' LMAO

Posted 19:11 19th November 2008

Mark Punter says...

well if i had to pick from those 12 players id had a big change around for sure....... we need to get runs on board if batting 1st & if we chasing a target we need people who can bat & keep up with the run rate i aint 'rocket science' ! my 11 would be 1.Shah. 2.Flintoff. 3.Bopara. 4.Patel. 5.Pietersen. 6.Bell. 7.Collingwood. 8.Prior. 9.Broad. 10.Swann. 11.Anderson.... COME ON ENGLAND we dont want a 7-nil whitewash & be a laughing stock at one day cricket !

Posted 16:41 19th November 2008

Al Preston says...

George Staples, I'd like to buy you a pint! Different circus, same old clowns!!!!

Posted 15:45 19th November 2008

George Staples says...

May I add my oft repeated mantra - Abandon this favoured few approach to team selection. Why oh why pick Harmison. Bell and Collingwood need a rest, Prior should either move to 7 or 8 or better still bring in a fresh keeper Selecting Swann is a good move, but let's see if he does play, just how our arrogant captain uses him. Once again, this is Peterson and his pals, not an England one day team. George Staples

Posted 14:51 19th November 2008

Al Preston says...

If Swanny is included he should open the batting as he is a good striker and will score quickly if he gets in If he fails, so what! The current opening partnership is a dismal failure. I would drop Prior down to 8 as I think he's finding opening and keeping a bit much. My team Swann 1,Cook 2, Shah 3, Pietersen 4, Patel 5, Flintoff 6, Bopara 7, Prior 8, Broad 9,Harmison 10, Anderson 11. I think it's about time to make these batters play for their place, Bell & Collingwood fail time after time then make a last gasp innings that keeps them in. Patel should be given the chance to build an innings as he is a class act. I'd also give Shah an ultimatum to start coming up with the goods or lose out to Bopara who is wasted down the order. Harmison would also be on his way if Sidebottom was fit, he just isn't up to one day cricket. The only way we will stand any chance of beating this team is to be brave and try to bully them by aggresive batting and attacking fielding. The bowlers, in the main, perform well, but if they don't roll teams over for under 225 our chances of winning are slim, and in this day and age you don't do that unless the wicket is sub-standard. A saggering statistic is that in 476 hits our 1 to 6 batters have made 15 hundreds, six of those by Pietersen and 3 of his in his first few matches.Still, what's the use, the 'Sacred Six' will carry on till they drop, I suppose!!!

Posted 13:00 19th November 2008

Peter Anniss says...

I agree with Barry's comment in that we need to address the batting before we worry about the bowling. We have sufficient bowling options at the moment but lack an agressive top order batsmen in the mould of Marcus Trescothick to give us some impetus. We need to employ a one-day specialist (e.g. Napier) at the top of the order to provide the firepower to work alongside a more steady player like Bell. Prior should be moved much further down the order as we obviously need a wicket-keeper and he is reasonably capable with the bat. Plus playing down the order will help to clarify his function in that he either gets some quick runs or gets out (which he tends to do already). Anderson should probably make way as overall, he is the bowler we could managed the best without and is also one of the weaker batsman. After all, he is in the side as a specialist bowler and he hasn't yet completed his full allocation of 10 overs in either match or taken a single wicket.

Posted 12:37 19th November 2008

Jmaes M says...

Bringing in 2 spinners is a great move but if the second spinner is going to be Graeme Swann, then, I just really don¿t see the point. He is great for 20/20 and that¿s about it. I think a lot of the team would have realised by now though Monty is still learning the game he is well ahead in the race for England¿s number 1 spin bowler.

Posted 10:28 19th November 2008

Barry Cashin says...

I don't know about Swann's inclusion. We need to take a look at our batting. How many times can you block a ball in a one dayer when chasing nearly 400!? Bell and Prior look like scared rabbits whose only shot is the forward defensive. The Indian opening bowlers are not that great yet Messrs Bell & Prior play so many balls defensively. Compared to Gambir and Sehwag who try to wallop the leather off of every ball (and invariably succeed), our batsmen look timid, play timid - and so I say with all conviction that unless we change our mentaility to one of aggression, we are staring down the barrel of a 7-nil whitewash! Barry Cashin - Journalist

Posted 10:27 19th November 2008
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