Swanny Calls It Quits

England off-spinner bowler Graeme Swann has made a shock announcement this evening. The Nottinghamshire cricketer is retiring from all forms of the game, with immediate effect. So what does this means for England? It cannot affect the outcome of the Ashes but could it be a factor in deciding if this series Down Under is a whitewash or not. 

The 34-year-old played in 60 tests for his country, taking 255 wickets and averaging 23.40 runs an innings. 

Swanny will not play in the final two Tests of the Ashes series already underway but he has been one of the senior players who have been a disappointment in making an impact in the first three Tests, taking only seven wickets. 

Swann spoke out about his retirement; "I came to Australia in the hope of winning our fourth Ashes series on the trot but that's now impossible, so it's time for someone else to buckle in and enjoy the ride. I could have made myself available for the last two Tests and maybe had a bit of a send-off from the Barmy Army. But that's no reason to hang on for two more games. I like to be the centre of attention - but for the right reason by winning games of cricket."

Graeme Swann has not ruled out the possibility of playing in the IPL but as far as we know he has retired from Nottinghamshire and all forms of the game for England; Test appearances, ODIs and T20 international games. 

That's all for now.

Ball on Willow.