Graeme Swann has been forced out of the one-day series against Australia by injury as England's casualty list continues to grow. He picked up a knee problem during the first Twenty20 and has now suffered a back strain and will be returning to the UK to recover for next month's World Cup.
Swann played the second T20 and first one-day international in Melbourne but has missed the last two matches. It had been hoped he would be able to take part towards the end of the series, but a back spasm a couple of days ago added to his problems, leaving England another key bowler short as they aim to bounce back from 3-0 down.
"Graeme Swann will be taking the earliest flight home," Andy Flower, the England team director, said. "He's unfortunately got a strain in his lower back and that allied with his knee problem means it's best for him to go home and get ready for the World Cup now."
It leaves England with Michael Yardy and James Tredwell to fill the spin roles for the remainder of the series but neither offer the attacking option of Swann and his absence has been felt during the middle overs.
"It's a big blow, he's an important part of our side," Flower said. "He's a world-class performer and full of confidence after the Ashes. But these things happen, we are coming towards the end of a long, hard tour and certainly the physical challenges are starting to take their toll."
Swann is the second player to fly home from the one-day series after Tim Bresnan picked up a calf strain in Hobart. England have not been able to field their first-choice attack at any stage in the limited-overs games due to Stuart Broad's absence and James Anderson being rested. Anderson, though, is available for the Adelaide match on Wednesday and will provide valuable experience as England aim to stay in the series.
Andrew McGlashan is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo
RSS Feeds: Andrew McGlashan
© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
No comments:
Post a Comment