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Swann vows to return ahead of World Cup

By Pti

London, Jan 27 (PTI) Injured England off-spinner, GraemeSwann has revealed that he has battled for long with the backproblem but insisted that he will be fit for the upcomingWorld Cup in the sub-continent.

Swann flew back to his home from Australia in the middleof the ongoing bilateral one-day series after he was ruled outof the rest of the tour following a severe back spasm.

The spinner is also nursing a knee injury which had kepthim out of action since January 16.

Swann, who is currently number two in the ICC Testranking said, "I''ve had a bad back for years and, every nowand again, it gives me problems. But I know from previousexperience that I''ll definitely be fine for the World Cup fromthe start.

"It happened when I was getting changed in Hobart. I bentdown and felt a twinge, there was nothing more to it thanthat.

"It''s improved already but would not be 100 per centright to play in any of the remaining one-dayers," Swann toldThe Sun.

The bowler will join his wife, Sarah, and will remain athome to attend the birth of their first child before flying toIndia on February 22, two days before England''s World Cupopener against Holland in Nagpur.

Swann, who is set to miss England''s warm-up matches,though pointed out, "Once I''m fit again, I''ll join in withNotts'' winter training.

"It''s been a long tour away and it''s taking its toll on anumber of players. I''m not worried about the back. The firsttime it happened in my career, I was frantic. But it doesn''tfeel as bad as it did then."

The bowler, however, was satisfied with his performanceDown Under and said, "...I have some great memories - winningthe Ashes will stay with me forever."

England have been left with spate of injuries as theylook ahead to vie for an elusive World Cup trophy.

Fast bowler Tim Bresnan, who made his mark with the ballduring the team''s successful Ashes campaign, starts off as abig doubt as he has a torn calf muscle.

Stuart Broad, who tore a stomach muscle during the secondTest is back with the team but is unlikely to play in any ofthe remaining ODI''s.

Emphasising on the team''s expanding injury list ahead ofthe mega event coach Andy Flower said, "Not only do we playhigh intensity international cricket but we also train at highintensity.

"There are serious demands on these guys. We''re almostthree months into this tour and it''s not surprising there areinjuries," Flower added.

Story first published: Thursday, January 27, 2011, 15:02 [IST]
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