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Summary Graeme Swann has advocated idea of playing spinners in England XI for first Test against Pakistan.
Off-spinner Graeme Swann has advocated the idea of playing two slow bowlers in the England XI for the first Test against Pakistan starting here from Tuesday.England warmed up for the opening match of the three-Test series with a 100-run win against a Pakistan Cricket Board XI with left-arm spinner Monty Panesar staking claims to partner Swann with eight wickets in the game.And Swann, Englands frontline spinner for some time now, backed the idea of playing with two spinners on the slow, turning pitches in the United Arab Emirates.Yes I would, Ive always advocated the use of two spinners and I love the rhythm and tempo the game takes when there are two spinners, said Swann, who is likely to play a lead role for England again.You have all the men round the bat and with everyone in close you can make shot suggestions to the batsman that he might not otherwise do, said Swann of the action when two spinners are employed in a Test.England last played two spinners in a Test against Bangladesh in March 2010, with another off-spinner James Tredwell partnering Swann.Irrespective of Englands ploy, Pakistan are certain to play with two spinners in Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Rehman.Swann, 32, welcomed the return of Panesar, who has not played a Test since the Cardiff Ashes match in 2009.It is great to see Monty back and bowling so well. It is always tough if you lose form and your place in the team. It is very hard to dust yourself down and get back to your fighting weight, said Swann, who doesnt feel pressure from Panesar.This week I wasnt really focusing on how many wickets I took; I was focused on how well I was bowling and by the end I was very happy with it, said Swann, insisting he is back to full fitness.I was a bit nervous going into the last warm-up game because my thigh felt like a 32-year-olds rather than a 22-year-olds. But it managed to get through and I felt great by the end of the game.So, touch wood, Ill be 100% fit for the first Test, said Swann, who has so far taken 153 wickets in 36 Tests.When asked about Pakistani spinner Ajmals plans to unveil a mystery delivery, Swann replied with amazement: That is the greatest thing about it, because all the spinners that come up with these balls so to speak, the names are highly unoriginal and not impressive.
