Nice weather for ducks, bad news for Swann

We’d really like to talk about the cricket. But there’s not much to say. England lost the toss and New Zealand chose to bowl. Then in rained … a lot.

No play was possible on day one. If it’s blue skies and good batting conditions tomorrow, the Kiwis will be cursing their decision to field.

The big news yesterday was the make-up of England’s team. Where was Graeme Swann? Had England decided to pick four seamers (they’ve done it before, remember)? Had Swann overslept? Had the selectors given him the elbow? Not quite.

The problem, of course, was Swann’s elbow. Another reason we lost to South Africa last summer, apart from dissent in the ranks, injury to Stuart Broad, poor team selection, and the fact that none of our players were in particularly good form, was the chronic injury carried by our premier spinner – a problem which effectively nullified England’s advantage in the spin department.

Although the injury seemed to have disappeared – Swann’s bowling in India was magnificent – it flared up again in the recent warm-up game; Swann dived for a catch, landed on his elbow, grimaced with pain and left the field. It didn’t look good then, and it looks even worse now.

The bottom line is that Swann has been ruled out of the series, and one can only hope he’s fit again for the Ashes next year.

The main event starts in July, so that gives him plenty of time to recuperate, but let’s not forget the Champions Trophy in June. England have a realistic chance of winning their first 50 over trophy; it would be a tragedy if Swann missed out.

The timing of the injury isn’t ideal, but it could have been a whole lot worse; imagine if it had happened on the eve of the Ashes series.

Swann has had bone fragments wandering around his elbow – much like a lost member of a stag do wanders around Headingley looking for his mates (or another bar) – for a long time. It’s best he gets this sorted out now.

In a bizarre way, Swann’s injury also arguably helps the balance of the team somewhat. With Panesar in the side, Joe Root’s off-spin suddenly becomes a more appealing part-time option. If the pitch starts turning, we’ll be grateful for the variation a left arm spinner and off-spinner combination provides.

Obviously Root isn’t the finished article as a bowler, but he should be able to send down 6-8 overs a day to give the main bowlers a rest. It’s not exactly the utopia of a five pronged attack, but it certainly helps.

People forget that Anderson’s return to form in India coincided with him bowling less overs. With Swann and Panesar doing to bulk of the work, Jimmy was able to give his all in every spell – much like Harmison, Flintoff, Jones etc were able to in 2005 and, indeed, like Harmison, Flintoff and Broad etc were able to do in 2009.

These are the circumstances in which England’s attack is most effective. If last year’s defeat to South Africa taught us anything, it’s that relying solely on four bowlers eventually backfires: the attack becomes tired, their pace drops, and eventually injuries crop up. If you don’t believe me, ask Stuart Broad.

If Root can eventually fulfil a Mark Waugh type of role – and become a notorious partnership breaker – England will be stronger for it. With Swann in the side, however, there is little point throwing the ball to Root. Two off-spinners in tandem are about as useful Turkish referees.

James Morgan

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

copywriter copywriting