Saturday, 19 February 2011

ABOVE: COLL OF DUTY: Paul Collingwood is running into form at the right time ... - Daily Star

{ ABOVE: Paul Collingwood is running into form hitting 65 and taking three wickets in win over Pakistan GRAEME SWANN has his sights set on World Cup glory but admits: I wouldn?t swap it for the Ashes.

England?s world-class spinner has recovered from a back complaint and travels to India today after missing the warm-up games. The Nottinghamshire ace, who became a dad for the first time on Thursday, was a key figure in England?s 3-1 Ashes triumph and last year?s World Twenty20 win. And while he would love to add the 50-over World Cup to his bulging trophy cabinet, Swann knows where the tournament fits in his pecking order. ?The World Cup is important because it?s a global event,? he said. ?It?s the ultimate one-day competition, the biggest 50-over event we play. ?But from my perspective as an England player it?s nowhere near as big as the Ashes.? Swann is one of several England stars whose bodies struggled to cope with the demands of the 100 day long tour Down Under. Bowlers Tim Bresnan (calf), Ajmal Shahzad (hamstring) and Stuart Broad (side) have all faced a race to be fit for the World Cup after picking up niggles in Oz. Star batsman Eoin Morgan was last week ruled out with a damaged thumb, although the injury is not as bad as first feared, and Swann reckons his will be the hardest boots to fill. ?If Eoin Morgan hadn?t been ruled out of the World Cup, he would have been recognised as the best one-day player on the planet,? Swann said. With Morgan gone, England?s batting hopes lie even more heavily on Kevin Pietersen?s broad shoulders. Big hitter KP (right) has been shifted up the order to open alongside skipper Andrew Strauss, following the failed experiment with Matt Prior. While to some the move smacks of desperation, former England bowler Matthew Hoggard believes it could pay off. ?KP has always said that he can?t just go out and slog, he actually needs to build an innings,? Hoggard said. ?You could say it?s a lack of foresight, but it could be a little bit of genius. ?Nobody?s going to think of KP opening the batting. ?Teams are going to have to think on their feet. ?I?m sure the plan hasn?t just come out of nowhere. ?If it comes off they?re going to look absolutely fantastic. ?But if it doesn?t, questions will be asked.? While England?s 6-1 one-day series defeat in Oz hit their confidence hard, the return of players of Swann and Broad?s calibre can only boost their chances. Broad has made an immediate impact on his return, with 10 wickets in two warm-up games against Canada and Pakistan. He produced another electric burst yesterday to finish with 5-25 as England beat Pakistan by 67 runs. Pietersen struck 66 and Paul Collingwood 65 as England clocked up 273 and bowled out Pakistan for 206. Hosts India face Bangladesh in Dhaka today in the opening clash of the tournament before England kick-off against Holland on Tuesday. Despite the chaotic nature of their build-up, Broad insists England can still deliver. ?It?s very special to be involved in such big matches and tournaments,? he said. ?With a team like we have and the belief we have in our team we stand a decent chance.?




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