Flower backs Swann to fire in second Ashes Test in Adelaide

ADELAIDE - England coach Andy Flower is confident that off-spinner Graeme Swann will have a major impact on this week’s second Ashes Test in Adelaide.

Swann had a modest first Test in Brisbane where he finished with match figures of 2-161 from 51 overs.

Flower however believes that suggestions from former players such as Geoff Boycott that they had never seen him bowl so badly were unjust.

“He didn’t get a lot of help from the pitch in Brisbane and hopefully in Adelaide he will get a lot more, but some of the expectation heaped on him has been a little over the top,” the Daily Express quoted Flower, as saying.

“He has had a great couple of years in international cricket, is a very fine bowler and a great competitor, but we should not expect him to take five-wicket hauls all the time.”

“He went for about three runs per over and got two wickets in their first innings and that is no disaster at all, but people were viewing it as such. We should keep our expectations a little lower than they have been recently,” he added.

Flower further believes that his team’s effort to finish the first Test stronger than Australia despite a 221-run first innings deficit showed the type of character required for success in Australia.

“It was a brilliant fightback after being that far behind on first innings,” Flower said.

“It was a dangerous position to be in, so the batsmen showed real composure, skill and courage. You need courage to bat like that and discipline yourself as the three of them did,” he added. (ANI)