I was asked on Saturday if Graeme Swann and me have signed a deal whereby he calls me the best seamer in the world and I have to call him the best spinner.
But I found out yesterday it is not just England players who think Swann is the best of his type on the planet. We were coming off the outfield in Colombo when Suraj Randiv, the Sri Lankan offie, asked him: "How do you spin the ball so much? I'd love to be able to spin it as much as you."
If a Sri Lankan spinner who's grown up in these conditions comes up with that kind of question, that's some compliment.
I honestly mean what I say. In the conditions we experienced this week there is no better spinner. He's not got the variation of a Saeed Ajmal but the turn he gets and the constant pressure he puts on a batsman's inside and outside edge makes him dangerous all the time — and on helpful pitches almost unplayable.
Some bowlers might get intimidated by being expected to take wickets on turners, but Swann thrives on that. He wants to show people how much he can spin the ball. And when he is the main spinner in a four-man attack he also thrives on that extra responsibility.
Revs on the ball
No other bowler in world cricket puts as many revs on the ball or lands it where he needs to more often, and he knows where and how to work a batsman out.
So, all in all, there's not much I can criticise him for. Even when it comes to all-round irritability he seems to be maturing with age, like an old cheese. I think he's definitely learned when to be a buffoon and when not to.
It has been a very tough winter for one reason or another but, from a seamer's point of view, it has been very encouraging that the spin department hasn't had it all its own way. I'm looking forward to more helpful conditions back home but we'll be back in Asia at the end of the year for four tough Tests against India.
The fact that our quicks had some success in the UAE and here means we'll go there with confidence that we shouldn't have to rely too heavily on the twirlymen.
Everyone realised Straussy has been under some pressure, mainly from himself because he has not scored the runs he would have liked to this winter.
But as an England player, I know this team wouldn't be where we are and would not have achieved what we have without him at the forefront. He didn't just take over the captaincy in 2009, he took over the team. He put the emphasis on players taking responsibility for their actions and performances.
As a leader he has been a brilliant, calming influence. Take Saturday's run chase. He made a point of reminding us about Abu Dhabi and told us to go out and take control, rather than try to winkle out the 94 we needed.
— Daily Mail
But I found out yesterday it is not just England players who think Swann is the best of his type on the planet. We were coming off the outfield in Colombo when Suraj Randiv, the Sri Lankan offie, asked him: "How do you spin the ball so much? I'd love to be able to spin it as much as you."
If a Sri Lankan spinner who's grown up in these conditions comes up with that kind of question, that's some compliment.
I honestly mean what I say. In the conditions we experienced this week there is no better spinner. He's not got the variation of a Saeed Ajmal but the turn he gets and the constant pressure he puts on a batsman's inside and outside edge makes him dangerous all the time — and on helpful pitches almost unplayable.
Some bowlers might get intimidated by being expected to take wickets on turners, but Swann thrives on that. He wants to show people how much he can spin the ball. And when he is the main spinner in a four-man attack he also thrives on that extra responsibility.
Revs on the ball
No other bowler in world cricket puts as many revs on the ball or lands it where he needs to more often, and he knows where and how to work a batsman out.
So, all in all, there's not much I can criticise him for. Even when it comes to all-round irritability he seems to be maturing with age, like an old cheese. I think he's definitely learned when to be a buffoon and when not to.
It has been a very tough winter for one reason or another but, from a seamer's point of view, it has been very encouraging that the spin department hasn't had it all its own way. I'm looking forward to more helpful conditions back home but we'll be back in Asia at the end of the year for four tough Tests against India.
The fact that our quicks had some success in the UAE and here means we'll go there with confidence that we shouldn't have to rely too heavily on the twirlymen.
Everyone realised Straussy has been under some pressure, mainly from himself because he has not scored the runs he would have liked to this winter.
But as an England player, I know this team wouldn't be where we are and would not have achieved what we have without him at the forefront. He didn't just take over the captaincy in 2009, he took over the team. He put the emphasis on players taking responsibility for their actions and performances.
As a leader he has been a brilliant, calming influence. Take Saturday's run chase. He made a point of reminding us about Abu Dhabi and told us to go out and take control, rather than try to winkle out the 94 we needed.
— Daily Mail
![[JUGRAJ SINGH]](https://www.unp.me/data/avatars/s/123/123038.jpg?1591210006){kind=avatar}
