Swann Boost for England

England received a major injury boost today, when world class spinner Graeme Swann returned to county action, with Nottinghamshire, following the removal of bone fragments from his troublesome elbow....

It is a timely pick me up for England, with batsman Kevin Pietersen still feeling soreness on his knee injury, which means he will now also miss the ICC Champions Trophy, ahead of the Ashes which start in July.

Swann, however will get his first action, since pulling out of the New Zealand tour, back at the start of March, in which it led to him heading to the operating table once again to sort his elbow.

“I am hoping to prove to the coach and captain that I’m bowling well and make the first Test of the summer – that’s my aim,” he said of his inclusion in the Notts side to face Durham at Trent Bridge.

I think 13 or 14 bits of bone came out this time as opposed to 29 last time,” he went on. “It feels brilliant now, though. I’ve been bowling with it over the last two days and it has never felt better.”

With the opening bout against the men from down under, just ten or so weeks away, England will be keeping a close eye on Swann as he fights his way back to fitness.