Swann returns to India after a brief trip home ? Cricket News Update ...

Swann returns to India after a brief trip home ? Cricket News Update

England?s ace spin bowler Graeme Swann returned to India early this morning (Monday) to rejoin England teammates ahead of the first Test, after a brief trip home to be with his ill daughter.

Swann had last week returned home to be with his wife and sickly daughter. On the course, the Nottinghamshire offie missed the final four-day warm up match against Haryana, in Ahmedabad, which ended in a draw on Sunday, and was supposed to miss the opening Test as well.

However, the 33-year-old travelled 8,000 miles in five days to make sure he returns to the subcontinent in-time for the series opener, which gets underway in Ahmedabad on Thursday, November 15, 2012.

England skipper Alastair Cook was excited to see the spearhead spinner returning to India well in time, saying it was fantastic for the tourists.

"I haven't spoken to Swann, but all the reports have been good news, and he?s coming back. That's fantastic for us, and fantastic that all's well at home as well," said Cook, who will be skippering the Three Lions in his first series as full time Test captain.

Asked if Swann will be ready to play after an 8000 mile trip, Cook said that he was an experienced player who had been doing this before as well.

"He knows how to bowl, he?s been here before, he is an experienced campaigner who knows what he's doing. I have no doubts or concerns about Swann," said the visiting skipper.

The left-hander also reminisced about his lengthy travel in 2006, when he was called up for his maiden Test appearance in Nagpur and he scored 60 and 104* runs.

Whilst Swann?s return strengthens England?s spin attack, their pace arsenal remains depleted with Stuart Broad and Steve Finn nursing heel and thigh injuries respectively. However, Cook was confident the seamers at hand, Stuart Meaker, Graham Onions and Tim Bresnan, will do well in the absence of the injured duo.

"All three of them showed really good control. It?s encouraging. On a tough tour like this, I'm sure we'll need it. Tim has been an integral part of our attack for the last couple of years, and he's certainly done himself no harm in this game," concluded Cook.

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Source: http://blogs.bettor.com/Swann-returns-to-India-after-a-brief-trip-home-Cricket-News-Update-a200560

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