Saturday night’s announcement, English time that is, that Graeme Swann was retiring from first-class cricket brought the curtain down on the career of this country’s most successful off-spinner.
I found out earlier that day and although I’ll admit to initially being taken aback, it wasn’t really that much of a surprise when digested more thoroughly.
The bare statistics will show, at international level anyhow, 255 Test wickets, 104 in one-day internationals and 51 in their Twenty20 equivalent, but they don’t come close to telling the whole story.
For want of a better description, Graeme poured cold water over the theory that traditional finger spin couldn’t be successful at the top level.
Being able to operate in both an attacking and defensive role, he was at the forefront of England’s rise to the summit of the world rankings and his departure will leave a gaping hole in the side that won’t be easily filled.
I’ve been asked on many an occasion, have I been surprised at how well Graeme has done and the answer has always been the same – not surprised by the fact that he has been successful, but by how dramatic and consistent the success has been.
The talented but impatient bowler that made his name on Northamptonshire’s arid surfaces became, via a move up the M1 to Nottinghamshire, one of the world’s best due to a combination of cricketing maturity and skill refinement to the point where his presence in the national side was deemed to be essential to any potential success.
Twice England have travelled to Australia in the past three years with Graeme held up to be the pivotal figure in the series on both occasions.
Whether or not his influence was overplayed, that would have been unthinkable not so long ago but that was the extent to which his stock had risen.
And the way the Australians have attacked him in the last three Tests, which has been particularly impressive if painful to watch, has been akin to receiving a huge compliment.
I knew months ago that he probably wouldn’t appear in another limited-overs game for England and fully expected the Sydney Test in January to be his last.
A mid-series farewell may be far from ideal but to leave when you want to is the scenario the majority of sportsmen would prefer, so every other detail, when it comes down to it, is irrelevant.
You can’t please everybody, and judging by some of the ill-judged nonsense that has been spouted you would think Graeme had left a battlefield halfway through an offensive.
But the number of considered comments posted on various websites from both sides of the world would suggest that there are many who prefer to look at the previous five years and not just the past few days.
He’s not deserting a sinking ship as that particular vessel is already down, he isn’t leaving his colleagues in the lurch as there are always others to fill the breach and any sportsman’s decision to call it a day is intrinsically selfish anyway.
The real crux of the matter is that if your mind is elsewhere then your body will generally follow suit.
With a right elbow that has undergone two serious operations, a significant factor that has passed too many by, the timing was right for Graeme who does not just walk away from anything lightly.
As a character in a drama I was watching the other day said (I think), “When it’s over, it’s over. You put your sunglasses on and go home.”
Without trivialising anything, that is exactly what it is, a sportsman retiring – nothing more and nothing less, exactly the same as when Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey, others who felt their race was run, stood down.
And all those irate England fans shouldn’t be wasting their energy worrying about why Graeme has walked away, but about how, with a particularly bare spin bowling reserve, he is going to be effectively replaced.
Alec Swann
Expert
I'd love to let on but I've got no idea, honest! I spoke to Graeme the other day to wish him a happy Christmas but that was about it.
Alec Swann
Expert
The cupboard is pretty bare in the county game. Monty Panesar is the next best we've got and he's only on the tour, despite an avergae 2013 season, because there isn't really anyone else. There are a couple who could do a job in one-day cricket but the Test side is another matter entirely.
Alec Swann
Expert
Johnno, sorry for the late reply as Christmas got in the way. I've never seen Graeme as anything but my younger brother although when he first started playing for England it was a bit strange watching him on the TV. The only time I'm even aware of him as a (former) international cricketer is when people stare at him in a pub or somewhere else and then you realise that he is obviously recognisable. Even though we both played first-class cricket at the same time, I didn't get jealous, probably because he bowled and I batted and we'd always played in the same side since we were kids.
IndianCricketFan
Guest
Honestly Alec,i think he took the right decision...God knows how much stuff was written about Sachin's retirement and i am really happy he took the decision when he felt like!
IndianCricketFan
Guest
Honestly Alec,i think he took the right decision...God knows how much stuff was written about Sachin's retirement and i am really happy he took the decision when he felt like!
Simoc
Guest
My take is that he is not Stuart Broads number one fan because when he retired he said he did say I'm a guy who walks when he snicks it which I took as a jibe at Broad. However that's neither here nor there. Something for girlboys to gossip about. The fact is he put a lot of spin on the ball which I haven't seen much of from other offies. I didn't know about elbow operations which wouldn't help an aging arm bowling 30 overs in a day. I remember Underwood as a slow medium pacer rather than a spinner. 255 wickets puts him out there as a great spinner for England.
Sydney Kiwi
Guest
Great player, great personality come commentate! I have to agree with Ronan here. I would like to add a couple of points. #1 England already having Trott, a senior player go home. #2 Being in home no doubt for Christmas when the other players probably missing family on the other side of the world. His Senior standing in the team on or off the field would have been invaluable- all I can think is there is something behind the scenes that is also at play. Oh well bring on the next test!
Mango Jack
Guest
That sounds a little bit to the right of the middle, Ronan. As in critical of Swann, and I agree. He has left purely for personal reasons, without regard to the impact on the team. What if Monty gets injured, or gets pounded out of the MCG? This will tarnish his reputation a bit, which is a shame because he is a class player and a vibrant personality. If he had simply waited until the end of the tour, no one would have questioned his actions.
soapit
Guest
i think i'll wait til you get somewhere in the vicinity of the point before answering your questions.
soapit
Guest
and martyn wasnt particularly a senior player in that side.
soapit
Guest
he was committed as soon as he came over here. find it hard to understand people saying the series is over. do you guys really think theres no difference between losing 3-1 and 5-0 when playing for your country?
soapit
Guest
and shows the younger players in the team that there's no point keeping trying if the game is lost. unless the team is riding high these players really should let management know its on the cards and let them plan. to bugger off when the teams on the other side of the world in the middle of a series is very inconsiderate.
Specsavers
Guest
have to wonder about the guy who chucked his toys because his team wasn't batting well enough (having to bowl so many overs in the fourth innings he said), then sooked about others attitudes but was too weak to say who or what he was whining about. from his statements, he wouldn't be retiring if england was winning, batting well or had won the toss. for all of his great performances, the lippy bloke will be remembered for starting his career getting decked by gough and ending it having a hissy fit whilst jumping ship when the going got tough.
Mango Jack
Guest
I think the point is that he SHOULD be committed. Like all players, his first priority should be the team, and I see this as being only damaging to team morale and their prospects for the remaining 2 tests. Swann is, or was, a senior player, and right now, Cook and his team need them all to step up, pull together and salvage some pride from the tour. If I was one of the England newbies, I'd be pretty disheartened by his action.
Dexter The Hamster
Guest
Even less of a problem then. But my money is on Eng playing 2 spinners.
IndianCricketFan
Guest
one of the best spin bowlers of this generation...he was an inspiration to all for he had a very orthodox action but still had huge success. Something the England Cricket establishment knows would be very tough to replace!! Great article by Alec and for all those who say he's a deserter,it was always his choice and he made his decision which we all should respect.
bryan
Guest
Swanny isnt the first player to realise that he wasn't up to it, and had enough mid-tour. SCG MacGill springs to mind. Hopefully the England team doesn't have to launch the same search Australia used after MacGill retired. Cricket, and especially test cricket is an interesting beast. There is no other sport, apart from Golf, that last quite so long. But in Golf, you can hide in the field. Cricket has a unique spotlight, which is quite possibly more intense than any other. No other sport leaves you out to dry for 5 days. Most other team sports have teammates that can help you. Cricket is just you and the bowler. If you have an issue with a pitcher in Baseball? you just change the pitcher. There is no-where to hide on a cricket oval. Cricket? at the MCG on Boxing Day? In front of 90 000? Playing for your country? You better want it more than anything else. I can definitely understand Swann's decision. Although, I would suggest he runs the drinks for the Barmy Army for the next 2 tests.
MervUK
Guest
Hi Alec, I think I'm right in saying that all the English fans I've spoken to have no problems with his retirement timing, it seems to be the Aussies, as is there way. Frankly it's not their problem,and Graeme's reputation is as strong as ever back home. He bowled v nicely in the first innings at Adelaide and Perth, but then strangely couldn't follow up in the second...we now know why, although it was pretty obvious he was struggling. I think anyone who questions him should watch the press conference he gave, it was frank and honest and he justified his decision consummately. People forget that he has a young family and a life to lead outside cricket afterwards, there is little point doing more damage to his ailing elbow in my opinion
Riostafari
Guest
I agree. If they had been winning, no way he would have done this at this time. He has been a great player for England over the years but I think this retirement mid ashes is not going to be welcomed by his team mates.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
I'm somewhere in the middle on all of this. I think people are being harsh to say Swann's act was weak and he's tarnished his reputation. But as a senior player and a respected team man who is known for his valuable ability to lighten the mood in the camp with his gregarious personality, he could have played an important role (on or off the field depending on what unfolded) in the remainder of this series. Losing the Ashes in straight sets in horrendous. But England still have an opportunity to build some momentum and team unity by playing well in the final two Tests. They had a better chance of doing that had Swann still been with the squad in whatever capacity the selectors deemed fit.