In a way, Graeme Swann’s mid-Ashes retirement makes complete sense. In a way it makes none at all.
When I learned of the English off-spinner’s decision yesterday, my response was first surprise, then acceptance, then puzzlement, like a renovated version of the stages of grief. The variability was apt given Swann was my ultimate love-hate cricketer.
He was the perfect opposition player. He antagonised, poked fun, did everything he could to raise hackles, all the things that win adoration from one’s own supporters while getting up the noses of others.
Like the best troublemakers, he backed it up with excellence in his field. His grinning dismissal of Ashton Agar at Trent Bridge was a perfect fist-shaking moment, but you had to admire the catch.
His press conference announcing his retirement fitted the persona: eschewing the platitudes and corporate talk of his teammates in favour of jokes and asides.
However often he took the mickey out of others, he never committed the sin of taking himself seriously. This always had him top of the list of England players I’d like to have a beer with. In an interesting intersection of chance, I shared several with his cricket-writing brother Alec during the last Ashes in England, who was an immaculate host and interview subject.
However much he might have got under my skin at times, I had no choice but to admire Graeme Swann’s career, one that seemed to come from nowhere.
Debuting at age 29, he was hardly talked up as the next spin wonder. But six years as one of the most consistent and prolific bowlers in Test cricket now sees him sixth on England’s all-time wicket-takers list, with 255.
You can also throw in 104 from ODIs and 51 from T20 internationals.
He was much admired for thriving with a classical straight-arm off-spin action, recalling memories of past eras. He got substantial side spin and was deadly against left-handed batsmen. He could attack and contain within the one innings. He was the first truly dangerous English spinner in decades, and will be the hardest man in this team to replace.
So why the sudden retirement? Swann said that he was struggling physically in Test matches, that his arm was tiring in the second innings and his form was tapering as matches went on. He didn’t feel he could offer his best.
That part makes sense, in the overall scheme of things. But the other part of Swann’s rationale, the part that involves making his decision so abruptly mid-tour, only sounds reasonable at first glance.
“I think to stay on and selfishly play just to experience another Boxing Day Test match and another Sydney Test match would be wrong… It’s time for someone else to strap themselves in and enjoy the ride like I have done,” he said.
Sure, if Swann were standing in the way of a spinning Ben Stokes. But England’s backup spinner is Monty Panesar. With 31 years and 49 Tests on the clock, Panesar hardly represents a generational change or a bowler whose capabilities can be developed.
Leaving immediately just means England are down one more experienced player for the remaining Tests, forcing them to rely on a bowler the selectors have assessed as an inferior option.
It also exacerbates the chaos that England’s tour has become. Jonathan Trott’s personal welfare was paramount, but his departure caused great disruption to team balance and plans. Two Tests later and Swann is no more, with Kevin Pietersen and Alistair Cook jaded and ill at ease.
Suddenly the Ashes-winning team of a few months ago is falling to pieces in front of our eyes. Rather than walking away being the selfless act, Swann’s team may have benefited more from a display of unity under pressure.
The decision has already thrown up a lot of stupid talk about Swann lacking resoluteness, or harbouring a concern about his bowling average. He has never been anything but a team man, and sending down 4000 deliveries under the Asian sun should bely any questions of fortitude.
One of sportswriting’s consistent faults lies in presuming to read the subject’s mind. All one can clearly say is that Swann is downcast after the highest of Ashes hopes were trashed, and that his statement indicates he feels partly responsible.
His response, I would speculate, is an attempt to do the right thing, but in this case the execution is flawed.
Seeing out the tour may have been the better option. His tour may have turned around: the highest wicket-taker from the northern Ashes didn’t become a bad bowler in a couple of weeks.
Nevertheless, the manner and timing of any retirement can be debated. Lord knows we heard enough about a certain Indian batsman over the last five years.
Given the years of work and sacrifice required to reach international cricket, no player gives it up lightly.
Swann’s decision will make sense to some and not others, but it was nobody else’s to make. However divergent our opinions on that decision, there should be far more accord in saluting the career that preceded it.
ji jo
Guest
The sprinkler dance, what a legacy http://tinyurl.com/kbhwmew
Loftus
Guest
Hahaha, says the Abba fan!
moreton bait
Guest
"the best right arm off spinner who actually spins the ball that has played" Pretty big statement - "that has played…..". Even if we ignore Murali for the sake of argument, then there are, obviously, quite a few stand-out offies stretching back through cricket history. Swann is up there in reasonable company as far as tests go, but when it comes to first class stats he's got quite a way to go yet (and his injuries might curtail his career even at 1st class level): just to throw up a few names, check out Ray Illingsworth (Eng), Lance Gibbs (WI), Ashley Mallet (Aus), E.A.S. Prasana (ind) - just a few off the top of my head.
Daniel Hackett
Roar Rookie
James, totally agree mate. People are making way too big of a deal out of this. It's clear his motivation isn't there anymore so why stand in the way of someone who is most likely raring to go (Panesar).
Upfromdown
Guest
It is pretty poor form IMHO. An Australian rower was crucified for giving up mid race and to me this is the same. You make a commitment and you stick to it. For all his banter, which has been great, and ability to give it on the pitch he has made a poor decision off it by giving up. You don't bail on your mates. You give everything and fight through good and bad.
Banjo
Guest
Cant help but agree Nudge. Seems like he is abandoning the team to me. He could of held of for a couple more weeks. Loved the guy as a cricketer - poor timing for retirement though. This England team has fallen apart at the seams.
Tim Renowden
Expert
Swann is my favourite England player, by a mile. A very good player, and seems like a genuinely good bloke. It's a shame to see him go, really. Perhaps the lack of Ashes Diary videos should have been a warning. I almost can't believe how rapidly the England team has fallen to pieces on this tour.
Robbo
Guest
I have always respected Swann, both as spin bowler and more importantly as a fine human being. If he says that his body is no longer up to it, and he just can't give his best, why can't people respect that? I know that I do, what is the brave thing to do in his position? Go through the motions for 2 tests, or give someone else a chance to impress and help his side. Personally IMO his decision is both courageous and humble, given his fantastic career he deserves better from the media and public. I would very much like to join the beers with Swanny list!
ph1lstar
Guest
When the going gets tough....some just retire
Wasim Ranamadroota
Roar Pro
I like your comment "who actually spins the ball" but would have added "who actually BOWLS the ball"
jameswm
Guest
Or if Monty is going to be the frontline spinner for the next 4 years, they could have said Monty, big games in Melbourne and Sydney with no series riding on it. Let's get stuck in and get you ready for the next live series.
Simoc
Guest
Easily said but it is not easy for spinners apart from leggies in Australia. As we saw witnessed in T20 last night leggies like Hogg bewilder batsman while fellows like Beer, Vettorri bowl medium/slow hard to hit straighties. Swann put more work on the ball than I have seen from any off spinner and he has 255 test scalps to confirm his placing as the best right arm off spinner who actually spins the ball that has played. I think England should resurrect him because coming from England and playing in an oven like Perth is enough to scramble your brain somewhat. He bowled great in England so the ability is there, just the mind is askew at present.
Straight Ball
Guest
As you say, Broken, he was a bowler.. Not like the recent off-spinner chucker who was allowed to make a career out of it and spawn imitation chuckers. To be a successful off-spin bowler in an era of licensed off-spinning chuckers is a real achievement. He also made that classic comment after getting Rogers out with a bad ball - that prompted a bad shot - that prompted a bad umpiring decision.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
How many Australians quit when they lost the last Ashes series? The evidence would point to an England dressing room that is horribly lacking in form, leadership and spine. If Flower and/or Cook had the slightest bit of authority they would have insisted he grow a pair and finish the tour.
The Barry
Roar Guru
When I saw the press conference I thought it was strange...but watching his career highlights on Fox News put the decision into perspective, especially when he was talking about his body not being up to it. He's just not the same bowler as he's been over the past 5-6 years. Watching him get drift away and then massive spin back between bat and pad of RH bats and ripping it across the lefties...he's just not doing that any more and his action looks slower and lazier. I think it's probably better for England to have Monty in the team than a half-hurt, half-interested Swann.
craig
Guest
weak as just when they need him to
AndyS
Guest
Got to say I am surprised - would have put money on a headline somewhere on the Roar along the lines of "Graeme Swann’s Off"
Johnno
Guest
Agreed a bunch of cosnervative boring old farts. Andrew Strauss and Alasatir Cook, are boring old farts. There not tremendously extroverts, who are the life of the party, or eccentric. Ian Botham and Shane Warne were loud and out there in the 80's and 90's, and Flintoff too. Guys like Ian Bell, Strauss, Cook, are not flamboyant, like Mark Nicholas the colurful English man who played for Hampshire at Warney's old county. England need to bring back the fun and out there flamboyant players, Guys like Cook, Struass, Ian Bell, are not alot of fun off-field, which is important and counts alot. Swann was fun and out there and loud, so you wanted to have fun with him. And he had a drink like Wanrey,Boof,Botham, and Flintoff and Vaughan. Micheal Clarke and guys like Cook and Strauss are less loud , and boring old Bell whose only achievement in the publcity stakes is being called the Shermanator.
jameswm
Guest
Of course a lot of motivation goes when the series is lost. That's why they're called dead rubbers.
Australian Rules
Guest
"His tour may have turned around: the highest wicket-taker from the northern Ashes didn’t become a bad bowler in a couple of weeks." This sentence really spotlights the weakness of his decision. Despite trying to appear honest, even magnanimous, his message is clearly: "This has become too hard; the series is awful; I want out". It's a white flag from a great cricketer. Pity.