Graeme Swann of England celebrates taking the wicket
2 August 2012
Graeme Swann's omission this morning saw England start a Test match without a frontline spinner for the first time since 2003, when they lost by 191 runs to South Africa at Headingley.
The decision, widely viewed as a gamble by England’s management team, also sees Swann left out for the first time since February 2009.
His run of 44 consecutive Test appearances has coincided with England’s rise to the top, but he has paid the price for a summer that has seen him take just six wickets in four Tests at an average of 72.16.
The 33-year-old off spinner has struggled with a chronic elbow condition that required a cortisone injection prior to the first Test defeat at the Oval.
