Swann confident of victory

Graeme Swann believes England A can win their Busta Cup match against Windward Islands after making a useful all-round contribution in St Lucia.  

He polished off the tail with three wickets in 15 balls this morning to give him 5-27 in only his second tour match then made 48 runs to earn the tourists first innings bonus points.

With Mark Alleyne already completing a half-century and a tail who have the talent to knock up vital runs down the order, Swann is confident the objective to achieve an outright win is now in sight.

"It went well for us today," said the Northamptonshire off-spinner who met up with squad three weeks ago to replace his county colleague Jason Brown.

"It was good to get those quick wickets this morning and then get some runs on the board this afternoon. I haven't bowled that well on this tour, compared to how I can bowl, but I'm pretty happy with the way things are going. It was good to get a five-for and mop up the tail.

"I didn't realise I was two runs off a half-century until I came off the field. But I felt good when I was batting and it was a shame to find I had been given out leg before but it is just one of those things.

"It started well this morning but we didn't start well with the bat but rallied around at the end to finish 79 ahead which is a good position to be in. We have a good chance of winning now if we can push on tomorrow and get 200 ahead perhaps.

"The way we have been bowling sides out means we can back ourselves to win this game," Swann added.

Alleyne was also happy that England A had dominated the second day's play and relieved that he is back on track after a disappointing start to the tour.

"Last two knocks I have played, I have been pleased with the way I have been moving but disappointed not to have gone on to get a bigger score. It has come right this game and has come at a crucial time for us," he said.