Graeme Swann, who played his role in choking SA, says England camp was convinced that Chennai pitch would help them win
Graeme Swann, who played his role in choking SA, says England camp was convinced that Chennai pitch would help them winEngland's star off-spinner Graeme Swann said his team knew the South African batters would struggle after England were dismissed for 171 in their World Cup Group B game against South Africa at the Chidambaram Stadium here yesterday. Swann's teammates went on to bowl out South Africa for 165 to steal a six-run win on a turning pitch.
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| England's Stuart Broad is mobbed by teammates after taking South Africa's final wicket ufffd Morne Morkel at the M A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai yesterday. England won by six runs. PIC/GETTY IMAGES |
It was the Andrew Strauss-led English team's first win after their shock defeat to Ireland in Bangalore last week. "We didn't think 170 was as competitive as it should have been but it's proved to be that so were delighted," Swann told Sky Sports 2.
"We knew there was life in the pitch for us. We knew how difficult it was to score when we batted, particularly at the end (of the innings). It just goes to show if you believe you can win in any game you can, as Ireland proved last week and so did we today."
"It's just nice that we've played a game and no one's got a hundred against us. We have had a bit of a rollercoaster World Cup so far," added Swann, who claimed the wicket of captain Graeme Smith ufffd caught by wicketkeeper Matt Prior for 22. Smith was the first wicket to fall after he put on 63 runs for the opening wicket with Hashim Amla.
Smith only exited after a review, requested by England after he was originally given not out. It took several minutes to overturn Indian umpire Amish Saheba's original decision.
Paceman Stuart Broad finished with four for 15 in 6.4 overs.u00a0"Swann was outstanding early on and the seamers banged out a length consistently, which is what you have to do on a wicket like this," said Strauss of Swann's bowling effort. "It was a cliffhanger of a game - we are certainly keeping people interested at the moment.
"We are delighted with the win. We still need to learn some lessons but we got away with a win and a win is all you need to kickstart things and get it going," he added.
Smith stressed his side knew chasing the small target would be tough. "It was a good game and unfortunately we ended up on the wrong side of it. We did well for most of the game but we knew chasing would be very difficult and it proved to be. We've got a week to prepare for India and there are a couple of things to improve on," he said.
