Graeme Swann will wake up as a Test cricketer tomorrow having given up completely on his dream of playing Test cricket for England following a fall-out with former coach Duncan Fletcher.
Graeme Swann will wake up as a Test cricketer tomorrow having given up completely on his dream of playing Test cricket for England following a fall-out with former coach Duncan Fletcher.
The 29-year-old Nottinghamshire off-spinner was named in England's line-up for the opening Test against India at the Chepauk Stadium and will work in tandem with Monty Panesar, his former team-mate at Northamptonshire.
Swann's debut is one of two changes England have made from their last Test outing against South Africa at the Oval last August, with Matt Prior also earning a recall as wicketkeeper by reclaiming the position from Tim Ambrose.
It is a major change in fortunes for Swann, who was exiled from England's plans having fallen foul of Fletcher's regime during the Millennium tour to South Africa when he overslept for the team coach during the final Test at Centurion. He was not selected again until Peter Moores succeeded Fletcher as coach last year and recalled Swann for last winter's one-day series in Sri Lanka, with his displays there earning him a place on the Test tour last in that country in December.
"I'd written it off about nine and a half years ago after my first trip," admitted Swann. "I didn't think I'd get back in but I've worked very hard since moving to Nottinghamshire to get to this level and I'm happy that I'm here and delighted to be in the team.
"I think you have to write it off when you see everyone who has ever attempted to bowl spin in the world playing ahead of you, that's when you think your number's up - I had completely written it off, I didn't expect to play for England in any form of the game again.
"It was great when I was called up for the one-dayers and then frustrating last year not to get a game in Sri Lanka but I knew if I had a half-decent year I had a chance to get out here, where I would more than likely get a game."
Swann can look forward to a debut in a country which has historically helped spinners, even though he will be facing an Indian batting line-up renowned for their ability against spin.
"If anything it's probably more daunting making your debut back at home because the wickets don't traditionally suit finger spinners there and spinners tend to have more say in the game over here," he said.
"We're just hoping that if we bowl anything like we can and try and restrict them in the first place and then chip away at wickets as you have to do over here."
He added: "It's a massive moment for me, but I tend to play all cricket with a smile on my face. There are obviously times when I get a bit angry when people nick it and don't walk off but I'm going to enjoy it and soak it up.
"I'm not expecting the ground to be actually rammed here like the one-dayers but it would be nice if 50,000 people turned up to watch Sachin Tendulkar have a bat and they all went home after a couple of balls if he doesn't get any."
Players from both sides will observe a minute's silence before the game to recognise the 181 people killed during the terrorist attacks on Mumbai a fortnight ago.
They will also all wear black armbands while England's players have already pledged half their match fees - around £35,000 - towards those affected by the incidents.
