London: England off-spinner Graeme Swann said he looked forward to playing a big part in his team`s push for a 4-0 whitewash of India on the final day of the fourth and final cricket Test.
"I look forward to it, having to play a big part in a potential victory for England. It`s going to be a hard day, make no bones about that. We`ve got seven more wickets to take and we need to get them fairly sharpish so we don`t end up in a situation where we might have to bat again," Swann said at the post-match press conference after fourth day`s play.
"We need to crack on in the morning in the same vein we finished tonight, because I thought we bowled really well in that last session," he said.
Swann said it would be of no use doing so well in the four days if England do not press for a win on the final day.
"After five days of cricket, if you`re just going to turn up happy with the draw, then you`re not going to last long in this regime.”
"We`ll be turning up tomorrow, 100 per cent committed to try and win the game. If anyone aired those sort of views (of a draw) in the changing room, they’d be shot down and rightly so.”
"We need to try to get the wickets early. It would help if we could get three or four before lunch, especially get rid of Tendulkar. We don`t want him sticking around too long," said Swann who took three wickets in India`s first innings.
Swann was happy for his bowling but he said on a wicket such as this, any spinner worth his salt would have done well.
"If you`re on a wicket that turns and bounces and you`re not causing any problems to anyone, you are probably in the wrong profession," he said.In India`s second innings, Swann dismissed two key opposition batsmen, Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag, and he would be looking to do more of the same on the final day.
"The way Dravid has been this summer he has just been exceptional. It`s very satisfying to get him out tonight. He was one wicket we were really gunning for tonight. We`re very happy to see the back of him."
About Sehwag being clean-bowled, Swann said, "Bowling people through the gate only happens three or four times a year. It`s always one to savour, especially when it’s a player of his repute and standing.”
"When it comes out of your hand, you know it`s in the right place. But when you actually see it go through the gap, it’s a wonderful feeling," he said.Asked about it he said, "What can I say? I`m at the bowler`s end so I can`t see. I`m a bit surprised Matty Prior did not because he appeals for everything."
Swann put down the difference between Dravid and other Indian batsmen to one of form.
"The main thing is just form. Dravid has been in exceptional form and when you’re in good nick and you may it pay like he has, you look so much better than everyone else.”
"We were lucky when we played Australia in the winter, we managed to get three or four of their best players in really bad form at the same time. To a certain extent, that’s happened this summer. We certainly haven`t seen the best of guys like Laxman and Gambhir."
PTI
First Published: Monday, August 22, 2011, 09:19