Warne’s ‘key to Ashes victory’ compliment adding no extra pressure: Swann

SYDNEY - England off-spinner Graeme Swann has said that he is surprised that Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne rates him as the most improved player in world cricket.arne believes that Swann holds the key to England’s chances during this month’s Ashes series.

“It’s very nice when people say that (I hold the key), especially the best bowler in the world ever, but I don’t feel any extra pressure, I feel the same pressure that you do as the single spinner in a four-man attack,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Swann, as saying.

“I know I’m going to have to bowl a lot of overs,” he added.

The 31-year-old further conceded that he has to prove his worth this time around, as he collected just 14 wickets at an average of 40.5 in last year’s Ashes triumph in England.

“I didn’t think I bowled particularly well through that last Ashes series. A couple of matches aside I was a little bit below par, probably just riding the wave, if you like, of the Ashes,” Swann said.

“This time around I’m looking forward to hopefully carrying on the form I had in South Africa last year (21 wickets at 31.38) on very similar wickets where I bowled fairly well and was able to hold an end down and pick up a few scalps along the way,” he added. (ANI)