Swann sets sights on Ashes defence

Sun, 25 Oct 11:42:51 2009

England off-spinner Graeme Swann has more Ashes glory in his sights.

The 30-year-old is in the squad for the tour of South Africa, which starts next month - but he insists all of his efforts will be to ensure is travels to Australia in a year's time.

"I daren't look further than the next 18 months," he said, speaking at the launch of the Vodafone 360 Samsung H1. "You're meant to say you're focusing on the next match but I want to keep performing and doing well, hopefully winning in South Africa, because to be in the team with the chance to retain the Ashes over there really whets my appetite."

South Africa have been billed by some as a tougher test than Australia, but Swann insists the Ashes is the all-important series. His only regret is not being allowed to celebrate properly after victory at The Oval won the little urn back.

"For an Englishman, Australia home or away is the best challenge there is - you grow up wanting to play in the Ashes. They still have the best player in the world in Ricky Ponting, and Michael Clarke wasn't far behind him in the summer.

"In 2005 they deservedly got drunk for two days. That is how it should have been. Their results over the next 18 months had nothing to do with that whatsover. There were injuries and a few diminishing players at the end of their careers.

"We didn't get the chance to celebrate the Ashes, we weren't almost allowed to celebrate because it was such a public-relations thing. I'm wondering what we have to do to start celebrating."

 

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