England won Ashes match fair and square: Swann

London, July 14: Off-spinner Graham Swann has said that England saved the first Ashes Test fair and square, and the Australians can talk all they like about delaying tactics.

In an article for a British newspaper, Swann said: “We will go to Lord’s on Thursday with the series locked at 0-0 because of a brilliant rearguard and an amazing partnership between Jimmy Anderson and Monty Panesar.”

He admitted that the match was tough, but absolutely straight.

“No amount of complaining from the Aussies will change my mind. The fact is that confusion ruled in our dressing room in the closing stages. None of the players knew how much time or how many overs remained. When it was eventually worked out, we needed to get the message to Jimmy and Monty straight away out in the middle. That’s why our 12th man Bilal Shafayat went out with fresh gloves and a message,” Swann said.

“I’m not certain why our physio, Steve McCaig, went on to the field, but I’m sure there was a good reason,” he added.

“If Ponting believes that England overstepped the mark, he or the Aussie team management is allowed to lodge an official complaint. But they didn’t. And the umpires Aleem Dar and Billy Doctrove did not report anything to match referee Jeff Crowe, either,” said Swann.

“There is no doubt our escape has given us a lot of confidence going to Lord’s this week,” he said.

ANI