Graeme Swann set to guide young England spinners

Graeme Swann with Alastair Cook

Graeme Swann who retired from international cricket last year has agreed to England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) request to mentor young spinners in the country.

The 35-year-old Swann mentioned Peter Such, the England and Wales Cricket Boards national lead spin bowling coach, as the man who invited him to look after the future spinning prospects, who can potentially end up playing for England.

"Peter Such asked me to have a chat and wondered if Id be prepared to mentor the spinners, to sit down and have a talk with them about what its like to bowl in Test cricket. If they make the step up, they can take whatever knowledge and insight I can pass on,” Swann said.

Simon Kerrigan, Adam Riley, Scott Borthwick and Adil Rashid are among those who are expected to work with Swann. The preparations might be in sight of the home side's second test match against India starting on 17th of July at Lord's. 

“Your mindset is completely different from how it would be in county cricket. Guys in county cricket are often batting with no pressure. On a Thursday afternoon at Northampton they can be playing great shots over extra cover and reverse sweeps, but a week later in a Test match it can be the exact opposite, which means you can bowl in a different way. 

“But the biggest thing I can impart is that even though the level is different, you are bowling with the same ball that you use in first class cricket. What you do doesn't change. You need to come to terms with that early and start trying to get people out," added the former international bowler.

Swann retired mid-way through the Ashes series after the touring side conceded the series to the Australians. With Monty Panesar not in the radar of the selectors, Moeen Ali is currently playing as the lead spinner for Alastair Cook’s men in the on-going Test series against Sri Lanka.