 Swann is in only his 14th Test and now has 57 Test wickets to his name |
England spinner Graeme Swann believes the quick-fire start to his team's innings has given them the momentum after two days of the second Test. After Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini shared a final-wicket stand of 58 in South Africa's 343, England replied with 103-1, Andrew Strauss firing 54. "It wasn't 'let's go all guns blazing' to get back on top," Swann explained. "But it was important that we did that, because it's wrestled straight back the initiative they had taken from us." Swann was full of praise for his captain's attacking innings, which featured nine fours before he was bowled by Morne Morkel off an inside edge.  | It's a tactic that might get him into trouble soon if he carries on doing it AB de Villiers on Jonathan Trott's batting style |
"I came out of the shower, and he was already on 30 - and I don't take that long in the shower," Swann commented. "It's great to see him go out there and play shots from the word go. "Since he retired from Twenty20, he's become one of the best one-day players in the world. "He's very disappointed to have only made 50-odd and lost his wicket after tea, to a very good ball." Fellow opener Alastair Cook, who has been struggling for runs, was unbeaten on 31 and Jonathan Trott was 17 not out at the close. Swann defended Trott after South Africa repeated their criticism of the Warwickshire batsman's slow set-up and crease-scratching between deliveries. The hosts believe Trott may be trying to disrupt the rhythm of their bowlers and AB de Villiers revealed their captain Graeme Smith had raised the issue with the umpires. "It's a tactic that might get him into trouble soon if he carries on doing it," he said. "I don't think it's too nice for the bowlers and disturbs their rhythm. "Graeme is talking to the umpires and to Trotty as well. He's listening, but I think it's a tactic. We'll try and use it to our advantage tomorrow." But Swann defended his team-mate, saying: "It's not something he's been working on. He's done it every year against me when I've played against him. | 606: DEBATE |
"It's just Trotty; it's how he bats, how he goes about things. He's got a very organised and very clear gameplan. "I can probably understand South Africa's frustrations, because I've stood at slip calling him every name under the sun for Notts over the years." The first two days have finished early because of poor light and, although the remainder of the match will start earlier than originally scheduled, there is concern that the inclement weather will continue to affect the match. "I hope it doesn't," said Swann. "The weather over the first two days has been disappointing, in the evening the rain does come in but we're in a tropical place and that happens. "Hopefully the weather won't curtail the game because it's nicely poised and I think we're in a very good position. If the next three days can give us 270 overs of cricket hopefully a result can be forthcoming."
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