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| Graeme Swann goes from England's court jester to serious contender • '2009 has been a dream,' says match-winning spinner• Swann behind only Mitchell Johnson for Test wicketsThere was always, one suspected, a serious cricketer inside the clown's clothes of Graeme Swann. But few expected him to burst out and surprise both opponents and team-mates with a series of explosive performances.After claiming his second man-of-the-match award in as many Test matches with nine wickets, to inspire England to their first win at Kingsmead since 1964, Swann moved up to third place in the world's bowling rankings, behind only Dale Steyn and Mitchell Johnson.When he dismissed Steyn to complete an astonishing victory it was his 54th Test wicket in 12 Test matches this year; only Johnson, who has taken 63 in one more Test, is ahead of him.There was something Jurassic about the orthodox finger-spinner, we were told. He was becoming almost as old-fashioned as curved bats and tall hats. Swann, though, never believed that."But you know me, I'm quite shy and retiring and I'm not one to voice my opinions," he said. "The game goes in circles. In three or four years time I will be completely out of vogue again. So I want to enjoy the fairground ride while I can."Fifteen years ago, no one teed off from the start in one-day cricket. There was no such thing as Twenty20 cricket. Some time soon a brilliant mystery spinner will arrive and I'll be defunct. So for the next few I'll be clinging on to Straussy's coat-tails, desperately trying to get a bowl for as long as possible."It's been a magnificent year for me, to be honest. Starting in the West Indies – though we didn't win that series – it was personally a breakthrough series. And then the Ashes. I don't know if anyone remembers but we beat the Australians in the summer which is seven weeks I will never forget. And then the start of this tour has gone really well for us."So I'm going to look back on 2009 with a fair amount of fondness. It's been a bit of a dream. I've waited a long time to get back into Test cricket and I'm enjoying every moment of it."Swann toured South Africa 10 years ago but failed to get in the Test team and after falling out with the team management over some careless off-field behaviour he drifted out of the international reckoning. But his fortunes started to improve when he left Northants for Nottinghamshire in 2005 and helped that county win the County Championship the same year.He took two wickets in his first over in Test cricket in Chennai last year and in the winter he topped England's bowling averages in the Caribbean with 19 wickets at 24.05. He took six wickets and scored 63 in the first Test of the summer against the West Indies at Lord's and then 14 wickets in the Ashes series."There is a serious cricketer inside him," the England captain Andrew Strauss said. "He's had a massive impact on our side over the past 12 months. He's never been one who settles for going for two an over. He's always given it a rip and bowled an attacking line and putting Test batsmen under pressure can be invaluable. On the field he has been exceptional."But off the field he has also made a big difference, lightening the mood and keeping people going when they're down. He's really helped some of the other guys in the team come out of heir shells. Overall, his contribution has been massive."In the past year he has become England's most important bowler. Looking back at Swann's first, unhappy tour of South Africa, Strauss added: "That was very early in his career and he was picked before he knew his game 100%. I think he knows his game now, he knows how to bowl people out. And by taking two and three-fors in the first innings he is taking the pressure off the seamers."Today, it is the jester in Swann who is trying to emerge from a very considerable cricketer.Graeme SwannEngland in South Africa 2009-2010England Cricket TeamSouth Africa cricket teamCricketPaul Weaverguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
NYT: Rose Bowl officials eye stadium renovations The eyes of the college football world were on Pasadena on Saturday during the Rose Bowl game and will be again on Thursday during the BCS National Championship game, but Rose Bowl officials are looking into the future as they try to secure funds to renovate the iconic stadium, according to a report in T<em>he New York Times</em>. bizjournals.com |
Rogge: No tolerance for doping in Vancouver LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) -- IOC president Jacques Rogge is confident that out-of-competition testing and work with Canadian authorities will stamp out drug cheats at the Vancouver Games.... hosted.ap.org |
NFL defensive end Gaines Adams dies at 26 GREENWOOD, S.C. (AP) -- Gaines Adams, an All-American defensive end at Clemson whose career never blossomed in the NFL with Chicago and Tampa Bay, died Sunday after going into cardiac arrest. He was 26.... hosted.ap.org |
Albany River Rats staying put for now The CEO of the Albany River Rats today said reports that the team has been sold and is moving to Charlotte are not true. feeds.bizjournals.com |