Swann set belongings to see on early wickets

Graeme Swann

Graeme Swann has already eliminate two of India's best hopes of avoid a 4-0 power series whitewash - and would have bag an even bigger wicket if his team-mates had been on the ball.

Swann was the bowler who to finish shifted Rahul Dravid, after more than seven hours of confrontation with an winning 146 in India's first-innings 300 and then just 13 more out of 129 for three at stumps on Day Four of the fourth Test at The Oval.

He doubles up with the off-spinner's favourite mode of discharge, bowling Virender Sehwag through the gate.

But Sachin Tendulkar survive on 34 - when he would have gone stumped had England had the presence of mind to demand - and will therefore stand in their way again tomorrow, in what force yet prove to be the Little Master's last Test innings in this country.

"What can I say? I'm at the bowler's end, so I can't see," Swann protest. "They've only got about 12 pairs of eyes round the stumps.

"It's not precisely the brains belief who field round there, so it's no revelation nobody picked up on it." Nearest of all was the man who took off the bails, with Tendulkar's foot off the floor.

"I am a bit astonished Matty Prior didn't, because he appeals for everything," added Swann, who however had plenty to smile about.

On a wearing pitch, he previously has five wickets in the match - and could easily be the key to the ending as India try to bat out three sessions, still 162 runs short of making England bat again.

"I look forward to it, having to play a big part in a possible victory for England - that's always thrilling," said Swann.

"It's going to be a hard day, make no bones about that. We've got seven more wickets, and we need to get them fairly sharpish so we don't end up in a circumstance where we might have to bat again.

"We need to crack on in the morning in the same vein we ended tonight, because I thought we bowled actually well in that last session."

He is already pleased to have prized out Dravid, who long-established tonight that he did feel a thin edge on his bat-pad removal from office achieved via DRS.
"The way he's batted this summer has just been outstanding," Swann said of his adversary.

"It is very fulfilling first of all to get him out tonight. His was the one wicket we were in fact gunning for tonight because he approved his bat in the first innings, and has got a hundred in every Test match (of the summer) more or less."
As for Sehwag's exit, Swann said: "Bowling people all the way through the gate only happens three or four times a year, if you're lucky.

"It's always one to savour, especially when it's a player of his repute and standing. "When it comes out of your hand, you know it's in the right place. But when you actually see it go through the gap, it's an amazing feeling.

"I'd previously had one go over the top of leg-stump and I'd said to Straussy 'it's just not my day'. "He said 'stop being so gloomy, Swann'. So good on him."
Swann made it clear too that there will be no slacking tomorrow from the world's number one team, with another victory to push for.

"After five days of cricket, if you're just going to turn up happy with the draw then you're not going to last long in this rule.

"We'll be rotating up tomorrow 100% dedicated to try to win this game. If anyone aired those sort of views in the changing room, they'd be shot down - and rightly so.

"We need to try to get the wickets early - a help if we could get three or four before lunch, and particularly get rid of Tendulkar. We don't want him sticking around too long."

Dravid is not giving up hope that his team-mates can come good with some delayed and telling disobedience tomorrow - and refuses to blame them for India's ills.
"It will be mixed feelings (if India loses)," he said.

"I guess there will definitely be a sense of satisfaction at the way I played, and I'm still hoping that we will be able to draw this Test match.

"Sachin is unmoving batting and is looking good - so who knows? "Evidently when you get a hundred and don't end up winning the Test match it doesn't feel nice all the time.

"The guys have tried, practiced hard ... but clearly this time we haven't clicked as a unit, which has been sad. "It's not trying, because no one is going out there not to try and succeed.

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