No Swann song for Swannie

Retiring in the middle of an Ashes series isn’t designed to insult English followers, and it did not surprise me too much. It is Graeme Swann’s way of saying, “I’ve had enough of this cricketing bubble.”

Graeme Swann played (plays?) cricket on his terms, but with a mind to the team’s performance and seemingly with a genuine desire to see his teammates prosper.

I like Swanny. He would make a great captain, an excellent coach, a fun umpire and a great administrator, so maybe he isn’t lost to the game.

When cricket no longer becomes fun any more, when results and criticism are all negative, some people are honest enough to admit they don’t have it in them anymore.

The hard core English and Australian supporters will say, “Rubbish, he’s a pussy!”, but I don’t think Graeme Swann will take offence. He’s that kind of character.

Yes, it is England’s worst nightmare. Yes, it leaves them in the lurch for the Boxing Day Test.

But there is nothing worse than running around a field trying to put on a brave face when your heart isn’t in it.

Blame Mitchell Johnson if you want. The playing field isn’t level anymore.

I saw Mitch softening up Swanny like a cat teases a captive bird and the sad part for England is he wasn’t in the mood for discrimination.

I saw the fear of helmet hits and blows to the body for all English bats and it was no surprise to me that Swanny doesn’t want to face that short pitched stuff any more.

Cricket is more fun when mad pace bowlers aren’t trying to knock your block off.

Swannie will be good in business, provide excellent copy for newspapers, make a hell of a commentator. He can take Warney’s place and play the contrarian and have a lot of fun with people.

Remember when Allan Border, Graeme Yallop and others were captain of Australian teams which were taking floggings from everyone. One could see the defeat in their eyes.

If Alan Border and Graeme Yallop had a Mitch Johnson, I assure you, they would be sitting back reminiscing of wild victory celebrations, not defeats.

There is only one Mitch Johnson. We have seen the worst, the mediocre and the scintillatingly ferocious best. Now that he is consistently producing mayhem, he will be remembered as the most ferocious left hand quick of all time – injury aside.

Swannie preferred the first two of the Mitch Johnson triumvirate. And for preservation of body and mind, I am on Swannie’s side.

Thanks for the memories Swannie. You rank with the greatest off-spinners in the game’s history.

Don’t go away altogether will you?

You’ve got too much to offer.