Now it’s our turn to inspire the nation, insists Graeme Swann

Spinner vows England will tap into feelgood factor created by Andy Murray and the Lions
8 July 2013

Graeme Swann today urged England to crown a glorious summer of sport by claiming their fourth Ashes series in the last five contests.

The First Investec Test starts at here on Wednesday with the nation’s spirits soaring thanks Andy Murray’s triumph at Wimbledon and the Lions’ series win in Australia.

England are strong favourites to retain the urn and continue their trend of recent dominance against Australia, who have come out on top only once since 2003.

“It’s fantastic for the country,” said Swann. “This is a massively proud sporting nation and the rugby union was followed intently by all of us, as was Andy Murray’s final yesterday. It’s fantastic, and we hope to do the same.

“There is a feelgood factor that comes from a nation’s sporting teams doing well and we hope to tap into that. Hopefully, in six weeks’ time, we can be put up alongside those guys as a victorious team.

“We’d be trying desperately to win this Ashes series regardless of what had happened in the rugby and the tennis, but they have done unbelievably well and we are all so proud of them.”

Swann has never finished on the losing side in a Test series against Australia. His first appearance in the Ashes came four years ago, when the spinner took the wicket that ensured England regained the urn. The 34-year-old was also an important member of the side that prevailed Down Under in 2010-11, the first time an England team had done so since 1987.

Australia’s recent problems persuaded them to replace coach Mickey Arthur with Darren Lehmann, 17 days prior to the start of the series. England have enjoyed a far more stable build-up but their patchy form in 2012, when they lost series against Pakistan and South Africa, means they still have flaws to iron out.

Swann continued: “I don’t think we see ourselves as a dominant force. We climbed to No1 in the world, which was a feat we aimed for, and which we were pleased about but we didn’t stay there for long.

“We’re continually aiming to improve and we want to get back up there. Until we do that, we certainly won’t see ourselves as dominant. Ashes series are the ones you live for and I would advise our younger players to enjoy these matches.

“In 30 years, when your grandchildren are sitting on your knee, you will tell them about Ashes games. You want to look back with rose-tinted glasses on, forgetting about the bad times and remembering the good ones. You want to be able to show them your Ashes winners’ medal.”

Australia captain Michael Clarke is his side’s best batsman but back problems caused him to miss last month’s Champions Trophy. Clarke batted in the nets today, however, and vice-captain Brad Haddin insisted the skipper would be fit to start the match on Thursday.

Haddin has been on the losing side in both his Ashes campaigns and is desperate to put that right.

He admitted: “It hurts and that won’t go away. The loss in 2009 and the one we had back home will always hurt, and we’d love to make amends in this series. Our progress over the last few weeks has been good and we’re excited about the start of the series. We have to live in the moment and there is no point on dwelling on what has gone before us. New dreams are made and new experiences will be had so we have to enjoy this for what it is.”

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