Swann ready for India challenge

Graeme Swann is hoping that a return to the subcontinent will bring a change of fortune for him as England begin their tour of India. Swann is part of both the one-day and Test squad, but although he isn't guaranteed a starting place in either side he is hoping conditions will be in his favour.

He played a key role in England's one-day series win in Sri Lanka last year, taking seven wickets in four matches, but has since struggled to maintain his place in the team. He hasn't played an ODI since June and against South Africa he was sidelined by the emergence of Samit Patel. However, he was selected for the final two matches in the Stanford Super Series and with conditions likely to favour spin he could partner Patel over the next month.

"I am really excited, I can't wait to get out there because I did well in Sri Lanka last year, the wickets obviously suit spin bowling more than other parts of the world," Swann told the Press Association. "So I hope to play a big role in both the one-dayers and the Test matches."

The tour includes seven one-day internationals, starting in Rajkot on November 14, followed by two Tests before Christmas. The last time England toured India they lost the one-day series 5-1, following an impressive drawn Test series, and Swann knows it's vital that the squad begin strongly this time around.

"The start of this tour is the most important couple of weeks we have got left in this year because if we start well and get off on the right footing then it sets you up for the whole trip," he said. "The last thing you want to do when you are on a tour like India and you're travelling, it's hectic and you're not in places that you're familiar with, is lose the first couple.

"Suddenly it can seem like a whirlwind, flying around, playing games but never having time to prepare. On the same basis if you are winning, you just can't wait to play again."

England had 12 hours in London after arriving back from Antigua before departing for Mumbai and Swann said the team has already moved on from the disappointment of missing out on a million dollars each.

"I was a lot less bothered than I thought I'd be," he said. "Even though it was a big week in terms of publicity, it still ranks low in the grand scheme of England cricket.

"The journey back after the match was very English. There was a lot of mickey-taking and Paul Collingwood came out with 'don't worry lads, at least we got to the final'."