Swann’s court appearance will not impact his game against Pak: Strauss

SYDNEY - England captain Andrew Strauss hopes that Graeme Swann’s court appearance in a drink driving case will have no negative impact on the off-spinner’s performance in the third Test against Pakistan.

England’s Player of the Year Swann missed practice at The Oval on Monday as he was answering a drink driving charge in Nottingham, central England.

The case has been adjourned until October 7 and Swann was back at training on Tuesday.

“He’s fine. Obviously the court case has been adjourned and he’s got his mind on the game. He’s still managed to drive himself down here so things are okay,” Strauss said.

“We often say you’re an England cricketer 24 hours a day. Anything you do on or off the pitch, people will be taking note of it in a way it will reflect on the England cricket team.

“We don’t want incidents where people are in the news for the wrong reasons. With Graeme Swann’s situation it’s important to realise he hasn’t been proved guilty of anything at this stage and we need to let that process take place,” Strauss said.

“But players have responsibility 24 hours a day and I think they’re aware of that,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying.

England is 2-0 up in their four Test series against Pakistan and another victory would make it seven in a row this year. (ANI)