England v South Africa: http://www.senore.com/Cricket/GP-Swann-c1501 feels his side needs to stay at the top spot in Test cricket – Cricket News Update
England’s phenomenal spin sensation, Graeme Swann, feels that his side needs to stay as the number-one team in Test cricket, which would mean a victory in the second Test against the mighty http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757.
In an interview, published on The Telegraph, the English spinner admitted that his side was publically humiliated by the Proteas in the first Test, which England lost by an innings and 12 runs, at the Oval.
“Perhaps teams are hunting us down more, seeing us as a real threat now rather than maybe underestimating us. We need to get to the point where no matter how plucky our opponent’s efforts are, they’re always in a dying cause. We need to stay No 1, I’m very
proud of the fact we got there,” said Swann.
“I can’t deny the fact that since we’ve been No 1 we’ve got a dismal record,” added the English spinner.
Swann, who has been a force in the English bowling line-up, failed to yield any results against South Africa in the first Test, where the Proteas batsmen dominated the English bowler. Swann went for 151 runs without a wicket in his 52 overs, as South Africa
piled a massive total of 637 runs in reply to England’s first innings knock of 385.
However, the optimistic spinner believes that his team will rise in the second Test at Headingley, Leeds, scheduled to begin from Thursday, August 02.
“If we viewed the last Test in black and white then we’re screwed and we have got no chance. But I’m an eternal optimist and I believe we can’t possibly play as badly again,” said Swann.
Meanwhile, the bowler has troubles of his own, as he has been suffering from an elbow injury and might need to undergo surgery.
However, the bowler has put on hold any plans to go under the knife for the time being. “Surgery is my worst fear at the minute,” Swann opined.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ST-Finn-c2566 may also get a chance to go against the South Africans.
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