NAGPUR – Graeme Swann wants to silence the passionate home crowd when England face World Cup co-hosts India in Bangalore on Sunday. The Ashes-winning off-spinner returned to international action for the first time since the birth of his son with an impressive two for 35 during England’s tournament-opening six-wicket win over the Netherlands on Tuesday.
But the 31-year-old’s bowling was one of the few highlights in a lacklustre display in the field littered with dropped catches and wayward fast bowling on a good batting pitch. India launched their campaign with an 87-run victory away to fellow co-hosts Bangladesh in Dhaka and are strongly fancied to add a second title to their 1983 World Cup trophy in front of their adoring fans. “The fact it’s against India in India is going to make it a huge game,” said Swann after England saw off the Dutch with eight balls to spare.
“We had a very poor time of things in the one-day series here a couple of years ago, so that’s certainly something we want to turn around because there is nothing better than silencing an Indian crowd. “You don’t want them to be screaming all day because its ear-shattering. Come Bangalore it will be a huge game and one we will need to raise our standards for, particularly in the field because, let’s face it, we were like a bunch of schoolboys.” The worst moment was when Ryan ten Doeschate skied Swann on 47 only for James and Kevin to leave the chance to each other as the ball fell safely between them.
