Swann tells England to keep one-day ‘courage’

AFP/Nottingham Former England off-spinner Graeme Swann has told Eoin Morgan’s men to maintain their ‘courageous’ approach to one-day cricket and rid themselves of a fear of failure once and for all. Swann was severely critical of England’s build-up to this year’s World Cup and his fears were proved correct as the side suffered an embarrassing first-round exit, having failed to beat a single rival Test nation. But a revamped team, still captained by former Ireland batsman Morgan, have changed tack in stunning fashion during their ongoing one-day series against New Zealand. They won yesterday’s finale of a five-match series at Durham’s Chester-le-Street ground to take the series 3-2 against the World Cup finalists. More than the raw results, the way England have played has been the greatest possible contrast to their World Cup debacle in Australia and New Zealand. They have now scored in excess of 300 in four successive one-day internationals, something no England side had previously managed, and have played in a bold style that many observers thought was simply beyond them. Swann, a member of the only England side to win a major global limited overs trophy—the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 in the Caribbean—has been impressed. “It’s so refreshing because it is like they have held their hands up and said ‘you’ve all got a point’,” explained Swann, speaking at an event for charity Chance to Shine, which promotes cricket in British schools, in Nottingham. “Everyone knew it was the most obvious thing in the world we were playing an outmoded, outdated form of the game,” said Swann. “But (there was) the arrogance that saw us stick to our guns and say ‘everyone is wrong’—and in that World Cup I think England got justifiably vilified, because they were so stuck in their ways.” England’s World Cup exit played a key role in the sacking of former coach Peter Moores. Now, under caretaker coach Paul Farbrace, who is soon to cede control to Australian Trevor Bayliss ahead of the Ashes, England appear to have thrown off their shackles. However, Swann warned England against reverting back to their old ways should results go against them. “It will take courage to stick to it,” he said. “But they should take what New Zealand have done as a blueprint. There is no way on God’s green earth we have a worse talent pool than any other country in the world—we’ve got these players who, if unleashed and given free rein, can be incredible one-day players. In Eoin Morgan, they have a good leader—because he genuinely couldn’t give two hoots what the public are saying. If he thinks something is right he will go all out for it.” Swann also urged that players be given a decent run in the team to prove their worth ahead of the 2019 World Cup in England and not be discarded if their attacking approach did not produce results within a matter of games. He cited hard-hitting Surrey opener Jason Roy, brought into the one-day side following the World Cup, as someone worthy of prolonged backing by the selectors.  “We’re too afraid of failing in this country,” said Swann. “It won’t happen overnight. Jason Roy will be brilliant opening the batting if given say, two years. He should be told ‘it doesn’t matter if you keep failing - just keep going out there and whacking the ball’.”