I WAS delighted to hear Graeme Swann confirm his elbow surgery has been a success.
For my money, England badly missed the world-class off spinner during their tour to New Zealand, where the pitches proved just too flat for the left-arm variety of Monty Panesar.
Variety is probably the wrong word to use, because Monty didn’t show enough of that quality to extract what England needed, although he did come up with the goods to help Matt Prior save the final Test – and the series – with the bat!
Swann has been an integral part of England’s rise to the top of the Test rankings – they are currently second to South Africa – and it would be a marvellous tonic if he were to be fit for the first Test against New Zealand here at home next month.
If Swann isn’t quite ready – although he seemed pretty confident he would be when Nottinghamshire had their pre-season photo call last week – then perhaps coach Andy Flower should look elsewhere for a spin option.
Joe Root and Kevin Pietersen, when he’s fit, are only back-up, really.
So maybe it would be a good idea to give James Tredwell (inset) a go.
The Kent man is now 31 and has carried enough drinks in the last few tours to know how Test cricket works.
He has played previously against Bangladesh and done well.
And he also has a batting average in the mid-30s, so he is no mug down the order.
I don’t think Tredwell would let anyone down, but England fans like myself will be hoping Swann is there to weave his magic against the Kiwis at Lord’s on May 16.
