Swann blasts England cricketers

SWANNMELBOURNE. — Graeme Swann walked away from English cricket on Sunday, attacking the attitude of some of the players he leaves behind. Swann (34) dropped the bombshell that he will retire from all international and first-class cricket with immediate effect now the Ashes have been lost.

He leaves England, suffering one serious setback after another on this ill-fated tour, to pick up the pieces ahead of the Boxing Day Test here at the MCG.

And a man known as much for his wit as his 255 wickets in 60 Tests over just five years to become the sixth highest wicket-taker in England’s history left the Ashes tour yesterday with a parting shot.

“Some people playing at the minute have no idea how far up their own backsides they are and it will bite them one day,” said Swann, who plans a media career after spending time with his family. ‘When it does, I hope they will look back and are embarrassed about how they carry on.

“I’ve been privileged to play international cricket and it really annoys me when people take it for granted and get above their station because they shouldn’t. I hope people look back and say, “Yes, he did always play with a smile on his face and enjoyed himself – and he walked when he nicked it!” ’

Neither Swann nor England would say who his attack was aimed at but he was known to be distant from Kevin Pietersen last year when the text-scandal crisis threatened to end the international career of England’s gifted maverick.

And if Swann was not aiming close to home, he may have had the behaviour of some Australians in mind. England are known to have been taken aback by the sledging, particularly from David Warner and Brad Haddin.

This could be the start of a mini-exodus of senior players, with Swann admitting that ‘one or two’ more may follow him in quitting.
“It’s no secret that a lot of the guys are getting on a bit, into their 30s, so maybe a couple more will follow,” said Swann. “But I haven’t spoken to them all so I don’t know. I’ve spoken to Jimmy Anderson — I know he’s not going.”

That leaves Pietersen and Matt Prior as players most likely to follow Swann; Jonny Bairstow was putting in a lot of practice with the keeping gloves at the MCG yesterday.

“Sport is cyclical; you do need new blood,” said Swann. “We’ve got exciting young players in England. Ben Stokes showed last week what a great player he is. You could build a new team around people like him.”

Swann made his mind up to go during the second Test at Adelaide and told Alastair Cook and Andy Flower on Saturday and the rest of the team on Sunday before practice for the fourth Test.

“All the lads wished me well and have been very supportive,” he said. “I wish them all the luck in the world. I’m an England fan and want to see them winning the Ashes and being the No 1 team in the world again.”

Swann is the first to admit it was difficult to envisage him becoming England’s sixth highest wicket-taker when banished back to county cricket for eight years after a first senior tour to South Africa notable for his immature behaviour.

“I can scarcely believe it,” said Swann yesterday. “If someone had asked me back at the start what I would have finished with, I’d have probably said 30 Test wickets, 50 in one-dayers and I’d have been involved in more missing-the-bus- type antics.

“So to sit here having played 60 Tests with the wickets I’ve got and the teams I’ve played in, well, I feel like a lottery winner.”
In making his emotional speech at the MCG, Swann said: “There will be people who say I’ve gone at the wrong time, but they would be people who pick fault with everything. To carry on playing would be completely wrong for the team. If you are playing for the wrong reasons you are not helping anybody.

“If I played in the last two Tests it would be simply to experience Melbourne and Sydney again and go  out waving to the Barmy Army as I walked off. That sort of player doesn’t deserve to be in the team.

“The best thing for this team is to start working out how they can rebuild and win in the future. Having me around for two more games is not going to do that.”

Only recently Swann was taking 26 wickets in a winning Ashes series. Despite two operations on his chronic right elbow, he seemed set for another couple of years at the highest level, especially with the dearth of English spinners. But deep down he knew the end was nigh.
“Yes, I took those wickets last summer but truth be told I don’t think I bowled that well,’ said Swann.

“At the back end of the Trent Bridge Test, I could barely spin a ball on a five-day-old pitch. I just knew that I wasn’t the same bowler I was a couple of years ago.

“Part of me wishes I had seen what was coming and quit after The Oval, but I would never have forgiven myself because we came here trying to win our fourth Ashes series in a row. I thought this would be my last tour and part of me wanted to play against India at home. But that would have been selfish because my elbow lets me down towards the end of games.”

He will be remembered as one of the great spinners. ‘When I went past Jim Laker, my mum phoned me up and was almost in tears as he was her dad’s favourite and I only knew granddad Les until I was seven or eight. I couldn’t believe it either and feel very humbled.
“I went past Brian Statham the other day, too, and there are stands named after him! Things like that make you pinch yourself and  wonder how it has all been possible in such a short time.”

Having told his captain and coach, Swann said: “Andy was very understanding and kept on asking me if I was sure. But it was very difficult telling Cooky because he’s one of my best mates. — Mailonline.

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