England back to full strength as Swann rejoins squad

Monday, November 12, 2012
8:04 AM

Graeme Swann rejoined his England team-mates early this morning, after his 8,000-mile return trip home while his baby daughter was unwell.

England therefore have their full complement of players back on tour, and are confident Swann will suffer no ill-effects of his globe-trotting when the first Test starts against India on Thursday.

They are increasingly but still only cautiously optimistic too about the fitness of Steven Finn and Stuart Broad, after the two fast bowlers bowled in the nets yesterday as they continue their recovery from respective thigh and heel injuries.

Swann arrived in Ahmedabad at around 6am today, having spent a handful of days at home after his flight to the UK in the middle of last week.

England believe the off-spinner, key to their prospects in the four-Test series, will have sufficient time to get over his long-distance travel and ready himself for the challenge ahead. “It’s great his little one’s okay,” said assistant coach Richard Halsall.

“I wouldn’t have thought he’d have been thinking about staying in the Indian time zone back home.

“He’s a fantastic Test cricketer. He’s got three days now to get himself ready - and with someone of Graeme’s experience, he’ll be fine for 930 on Thursday.”