Thats a bit of a surprise and also a shame Was still a very good player - though not had a good series down under ( along with just about everyone else)
Absolutely crackers decision, particularly given his age and ability, no doubt he has some or other money-related reason for making this call. Compare and contrast with Shane Warne, who would clearly still be playing for Australia if he could.
Just seen that he has a 'potentially lucrative' offer on the table from at least one media company. Someone needs to remind him that nobody remembers any of Botham's ashes commentaries.....
Sky have enough commentators as it is. Could get rid of Nick Knight, Nasser Hussain and Andrew Strauss at the very least. Promote Bob Willis up from the highlights show and you'd still have Gower, Holding, Beefy and Bumble. I'd rather they got Boycott off the BBC and brought in Mark Nicholas. As for Swann he will forever remember his last ever over going for 22. He was probably made to retire before he got dropped.
Not sure he would be in the England team much longer anyway, he's a spent force it seems, although maybe a bit harsh given the tracks they have played on this series.
A couple of years since best in the world but age catches up on you thank you swanny brilliant career
He's out of form and 34 years old for heaven's sake, hardly pipe and slippers territory is it, particularly for a spin bowler. Instead of working himself back into form, and playing on at the highest level (where he clearly belongs) for at least another two years, he appears to be taking the easy/lazy way out.
you don't know what he feels like. Remember hes had TWO opps on is elbow which have took a combined 40 small pieces of bone out and that could have affected him, actually it think it as. Thinking back to is comments in the summer i think he would have retired then if it wasn't for another ashes straight away
Maybe, or maybe it just feels a bit more knackered than usual given the struggles with form, and the pretty miserable situation the team is in at the moment.
He is one of the senior players who have most let down England in the Ashes debacle in my opinion. His body language from the very first game was saying that he did not want to be there at all, whether bowling, or, especially, batting. He seemed as though he was ok with being out for poor scores and looked as though he just wanted to be back home. It is hard to say what has been the cause of the implosion of a side which was not long ago the world's leading test side. On the players' side, you can talk about too much cricket and burn-out. On the other hand, the young blades need the guiding hand of the senior pros and not just the captain. Petersen, Swann and co have all let the side down. Indicative that it has been youngsters like Root and Stokes showing the right attitude. Cook looked ok in charge of a winning side, but seems to have lacked the mettle when the tide has turned. He seemed to be shunned at times by some of the senior pros, which tells a story too. What does it say about Swann's attitude that he walks out with two matches still to play and no chance of bringing in a replacement? Hardly the decision of a team player. Clear out the old guard and captain, I say, and bring in young blood with the right attitude. Come in, Rashid and Rafiq, as well as some of the Durham lads. Re-build from the base. There is nothing wrong with the national game and we have the young players coming through the county game. Radical change needed in playing staff. BTW I bet Darren Lehmann learned his winning attitude whilst with Yorkshire as well!!!!
Well yeah, that's what tends to happen, most players don't retire at their peak. You accused him of doing it for money.
