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Graeme Swann
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Product Description
Product Description
Graeme Swann's transformation from international outsider to England's primary match-winner and undisputed best spin bowler in the world has been remarkably rapid. Within two years of his 2008 Test debut, he had become his country's most reliable bowler, made the shortlist for the ICC's cricketer of the year award and claimed an Ashes-sealing wicket. Yet the script took many twists and turns along the way.
Drafted into the squad for the full tour of South Africa in 1999-2000. Swann's meteoric received a jolt. While some liked the cut of his jib, others did not and England coach Duncan Fletcher already had a foot in the latter camp when Swann missed the bus for the first of two times on that tour. Suddenly he was judged on temperament and not talent.
Although Swann candidly concedes he was nowhere near good enough for the top level at that stage in his career, his jettisoning back to county cricket for the next seven years, following a solitary one-day international, hinted at a career wasted. A clash with then Northamptonshire coach Kepler Wessels triggered his move to Nottinghamshire in 2005. A County Championship winner in his debut season, he was back in the England fold at the end of his third.
Forever a flamboyant showman, he made up for lost time with two wickets in his first over against India - his habit of striking in his opening over a spell has become a party piece. You cannot keep the spotlight off him for long. Since moving into the top 10 of the world rankings for bowlers on the back of eight wickets in the Ashes-defining Oval Test of 2009, he has not dropped outside it, and has been widely tipped to be the decisive factor in the defence of the urn in Australia.
Drafted into the squad for the full tour of South Africa in 1999-2000. Swann's meteoric received a jolt. While some liked the cut of his jib, others did not and England coach Duncan Fletcher already had a foot in the latter camp when Swann missed the bus for the first of two times on that tour. Suddenly he was judged on temperament and not talent.
Although Swann candidly concedes he was nowhere near good enough for the top level at that stage in his career, his jettisoning back to county cricket for the next seven years, following a solitary one-day international, hinted at a career wasted. A clash with then Northamptonshire coach Kepler Wessels triggered his move to Nottinghamshire in 2005. A County Championship winner in his debut season, he was back in the England fold at the end of his third.
Forever a flamboyant showman, he made up for lost time with two wickets in his first over against India - his habit of striking in his opening over a spell has become a party piece. You cannot keep the spotlight off him for long. Since moving into the top 10 of the world rankings for bowlers on the back of eight wickets in the Ashes-defining Oval Test of 2009, he has not dropped outside it, and has been widely tipped to be the decisive factor in the defence of the urn in Australia.
About the Author
Graeme Swann was born in 1979. He started his career at his home county Northamptonshire in 1997, before moving to Nottinghamshire in 2005. Following a single one-day international in 2000, Swann was recalled to the England side in 2007 and became a vital part of the England side.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As a great cricket fan and admirer of what Swann has brought to the team, I anticipated his autobiography would be good. He's a funny chap (ha ha rather than odd...!) and I expected his book to show this sense of humour. Swann is always a candid and thoughtful interviewee. He doesn't hide behind management rhetoric and as such his comments are usually astute.
It's a witty book, full of Swann's often inappropriately timed jokes. The anecdote about misjudging Rod Marsh and greeting him warmly with the C word is both cringeworthy and very funny.
He details being punched, allegedly without provocation, by Darren Gough whilst urinating, which is amusing and puzzling, as Gough apparently never offered an explanation.
I wanted to know more details about the England lifestyle. He doesn't always elaborate on points made, and takes great pains to tell the reader that the current England squad are all great mates etc but the less casual reader will want more in depth analysis.
For the cricket lover there is a lot of detail about matches, most notably the Ashes win in Australia.
It also provides a good insight into Swann's character, which seems somewhat Marmite-esque. You either love him or....you know the rest. Perhaps when he finally retires from cricket (hopefully not for some time) he will revise this book and include a little more in the juicy detail department.
Overall an entertaining read for cricket fans.
It's a witty book, full of Swann's often inappropriately timed jokes. The anecdote about misjudging Rod Marsh and greeting him warmly with the C word is both cringeworthy and very funny.
He details being punched, allegedly without provocation, by Darren Gough whilst urinating, which is amusing and puzzling, as Gough apparently never offered an explanation.
I wanted to know more details about the England lifestyle. He doesn't always elaborate on points made, and takes great pains to tell the reader that the current England squad are all great mates etc but the less casual reader will want more in depth analysis.
For the cricket lover there is a lot of detail about matches, most notably the Ashes win in Australia.
It also provides a good insight into Swann's character, which seems somewhat Marmite-esque. You either love him or....you know the rest. Perhaps when he finally retires from cricket (hopefully not for some time) he will revise this book and include a little more in the juicy detail department.
Overall an entertaining read for cricket fans.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This was one of the most refreshing sports books I've ever read. Graeme Swann is a sportsman who refuses to take himself too seriously (you only need watch his Ashes video diaries or read him on Twitter to get that much) but shows over 400 pages here that he does have a serious side.
Yes, it is chock-full of the crude one-liners he has made his calling card in cricket, and he chuckles his way through various escapades throughout his career.
But he also provides some scathing opinions. Almost exclusively about himself. In fact, the book can almost be split into two halves. The first a chain of regret at his behaviour, as he toiled for international recognition, and the second a chronicle of his pride in representing England and proving successful.
You can picture him cringing as he reflects on the misspent first few years - the England Under-19 World Cup-winning team enacting an old school pile-on on Allan Border being a perfect example. Contrast that to the anecdote about deciding to give his son the middle name Sydney as he sat on the SCG outfield, beer in hand, after the completion of the 3-1 Ashes win down under.
Although Swann jnr has enough initials to be a future England Test captain, his dad's appeal is that he has clawed his way up from Sponne Coprehensive, where his team-mates used to take their school ties off and all assemble for a chat at mid-on, to the top of world cricket. He's just like the blokes most of us play club cricket with at the weekend. And that's why he, and this book, are so appealing.
Yes, it is chock-full of the crude one-liners he has made his calling card in cricket, and he chuckles his way through various escapades throughout his career.
But he also provides some scathing opinions. Almost exclusively about himself. In fact, the book can almost be split into two halves. The first a chain of regret at his behaviour, as he toiled for international recognition, and the second a chronicle of his pride in representing England and proving successful.
You can picture him cringing as he reflects on the misspent first few years - the England Under-19 World Cup-winning team enacting an old school pile-on on Allan Border being a perfect example. Contrast that to the anecdote about deciding to give his son the middle name Sydney as he sat on the SCG outfield, beer in hand, after the completion of the 3-1 Ashes win down under.
Although Swann jnr has enough initials to be a future England Test captain, his dad's appeal is that he has clawed his way up from Sponne Coprehensive, where his team-mates used to take their school ties off and all assemble for a chat at mid-on, to the top of world cricket. He's just like the blokes most of us play club cricket with at the weekend. And that's why he, and this book, are so appealing.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
It's easy to see why Graeme Swann is so well thought of. He is one of that rare breed of English cricketer, a successful player with a fierce determination to win and yet also a great sense of fun. For these reason's his story is one that many people will be interested in and this captivating autobiography does not disappoint! Well written, good-humored and endearing I found this insight into the life of one of our top sportsmen very enjoyable.
Due to the personality of the man this is a cricket book that transcends it's genre and has value to the general reader
Due to the personality of the man this is a cricket book that transcends it's genre and has value to the general reader
Most Recent Customer Reviews
World-class misnomer
'The Breaks are Off? Are you serious?' I asked Gibbo, my ever so patient and wonderfully monotone Brummie ghost, when he called me during the 2011 World Cup to discuss a title for... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Udeen
brill
Lovely book, good photos, lots of laughter. Item arrived very quickly, and well packaged. Not very easy to put down though!
Published 4 months ago by Ms. Rl Toplis
Graeme SWANN Autobiography
This is a good read with current tales and a fascinating insight into the world of professional cricket
I enjoyed every chapter
I enjoyed every chapter
Published 5 months ago by Neilr
Good fun and not the usual bland sportsman's guff
This is a pretty decent read, and extremely funny at times; much better than your typical sporting autobiography. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Craigy The Magnificent
Graeme Swann review
1st half of the book was more entertaining that the rest. I thought the book would be funnier than it was having followed Swanny on witter for so long. Good read though.
Published 6 months ago by Philip Morris
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