England cricketer Graeme Swann announces retirement from international cricket
Graeme Swann has announced his retirement from international cricket
In news that is sure to come as a total surprise, English off-spinner Graeme Swann has announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket with immediate effect. The cricketer is currently part of the touring English squad in Australia in the ongoing Ashes series.
The announcement comes ahead of the Boxing Day Test match, the fourth of the series, on December 26, with Australia already into an unassailable 3-0 lead and having regained the Ashes.
It is a bitter blow for England who had to deal with losing one of the rocks of their batting line-up when Jonathan Trott left the tour to return home after the first Test citing depression.
Swann has had a very disappointing Ashes series so far in Australia, picking up just seven wickets. The 34-year-old confirmed that he would not be taking any further part in the ongoing series.
In his column in the Sun today, he wrote:
“When I left home back in October I thought this might be my last tour for England. Then a couple of weeks ago, I looked in the mirror and I knew it would be.”
“People always say that sportsmen instinctively know when the time is right to retire and I had that exact feeling during the Adelaide Test.”
“So now with the series beyond our reach I have just brought forward the decision by a couple of matches.”
Swann is the leading wicket-taker amongst spinners for England with 255 scalps to his name. He is the sixth highest wicket-taker overall.
He was an instrumental part of England’s golden run during the last few years that saw them become the number one Test team in the world briefly.
“This decision has been very difficult seeing as the England team has been my family for seven years now, but I feel it is the right time,” he said.
“I don’t regret a single day of my career. Every high has been celebrated with verve and vigour and every low painfully accepted as a chance to learn and improve.”
Swann, who made his debut in 2008 against India in Chennai, further went on to explain the reasons for him quitting cricket;
“I know I’m making the decision for the right reasons,” added Swann.
“My body doesn’t like playing five-day cricket any more, and I don’t feel I can justify my spot in the team in the latter stages of a game, and as a spinner, that’s when you need to come into your own.”
“With two games to go in Australia and then a fiercely competitive summer against Sri Lanka and India I feel that it is a great time for someone else to strap themselves in and hopefully enjoy the ride as much as I have,” he added.
Swann was also key to England’s ODI setup, taking 104 wickets in 79 ODIs after making his debut in 2000 at Bloemfontein against South Africa. He also enjoyed a brief spell in 2011 as the number one ODI bowler in the world. He also helped England capture their first major international title in the T20 World Cup in 2010.
“My personal highlights include the three Ashes victories, of which I will cherish for the rest of my life, and the World T20 victory in the West Indies which ranks as my limited overs highlight,” he added.
“I have met, played with and against, and become friends with some magnificent people throughout my journey and feel truly privileged to have been given these opportunities.”
Former England captain Michael Vaughan though felt that the decision had come ‘too soon’ from the England offie.
Vaughan tweeted - “Spinners of his quality are a rare breed. Of all the England players over the last 20 years he is the one the team will miss the most.”
England team director Andy Flower though, paid tribute to Swann and respected his decision to call it quits.
“His commitment, competitive spirit and sense of humour have been recognised and admired by team-mates and supporters alike and he has played a big part in England’s success over the last five years”, said Flower.