Alec Swann
Encyclopedia
Alec James Swann is a former English cricket
er who played for Northamptonshire
and Lancashire
in county cricket
. A right hand batsman, he scored 3,305 first-class
runs including eight centuries
. He is the older brother of Graeme Swann
and is currently the cricket correspondent of the Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph
.
in the minor counties championship
. Having scored centuries for Northamptonshire in consecutive second XI matches at the start of the 1996 season he was given his first-class debut against Oxford University
, scoring an unbeaten
76 in the second innings. Later in the season he appeared for England Under-19s
against New Zealand
before making his County Championship
debut against Gloucestershire
.
Swann continued to play mostly second XI cricket in 1997 but made two first-class appearances at the end of the season. In the second of these he scored his maiden first-class century, batting at number three against Warwickshire
at Edgbaston
he made 136. He began the following season in the first team but poor form led to him returning second XI cricket. After scoring three centuries in four innings at that level he returned to the first team where he scored 85 against Kent
, this was his only first-class fifty of the season.
Swann continued to switch between the first and second team in 1999 although he showed improved form, in 12 first-class matches he scored 573 runs at an average of 31.83. Playing against Nottinghamshire
in June he scored a career-best 154 and shared a 217-run partnership
with Matthew Hayden
in the process, despite this he returned to second XI cricket the following week. He made his List A debut against Nottinghamshire a month later, scoring 74 as opener and again sharing a century partnership with Hayden.
In 2000 Swann made only three first-class appearances and after a poor 2001 season in which he averaged 21.77 from 13 matches he was released by the club.
. Swann was a regular opener during the 2002 season playing 18 first-class matches and scoring 1,073 runs at 37.00. His tally was the first and only time he reached a 1,000 runs in a season and included two centuries, both against Yorkshire
. Innings of 128 and 111 made him the first Lancastrian to score centuries in his first two Roses match
es.
The following two seasons were less successful for Swann, in 15 first-class matches he scored 467 runs at 21.22. He was released by the club at the end of 2004 season.
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
er who played for Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire County Cricket Club
Northamptonshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Northamptonshire. Its limited overs team is called the Northants Steelbacks. The traditional club colour is Maroon. During the...
and Lancashire
Lancashire County Cricket Club
Lancashire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Lancashire in cricket's County Championship. The club was founded in 1864 as a successor to Manchester Cricket Club and has played at Old Trafford since then...
in county cricket
County cricket
County cricket is the highest level of domestic cricket in England and Wales. For the 2010 season, see 2010 English cricket season.-First-class counties:...
. A right hand batsman, he scored 3,305 first-class
First-class cricket
First-class cricket is a class of cricket that consists of matches of three or more days' scheduled duration, that are between two sides of eleven players and are officially adjudged first-class by virtue of the standard of the competing teams...
runs including eight centuries
Century (cricket)
In the sport of cricket, a batsman reaches his century when he scores 100 or more runs in a single innings. The term is also included in "century partnership" which occurs when two batsmen add 100 runs to the team total when they are batting together. A century is regarded as a landmark score for...
. He is the older brother of Graeme Swann
Graeme Swann
Graeme Peter Swann is an English international cricketer. He is primarily a right-arm offspinner, and also bats right-handed. After initially playing for his home county Northamptonshire, for whom he made his debut in 1997, he moved to Nottinghamshire in 2005. He often fields at slip...
and is currently the cricket correspondent of the Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph
Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph
The Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph, or ET as it is nicknamed, is the local newspaper for the north of Northamptonshire. It is based at Newspaper House in Rothwell Road, Kettering, and has since 1996 been part of the Johnston Press newspaper group...
.
Northamptonshire
Prior to making his debut for Northamptonshire Swann had represented England at under-15 level and made appearances for BedfordshireBedfordshire County Cricket Club
Bedfordshire County Cricket Club is one of the county clubs which make up the Minor Counties in the English domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Bedfordshire and competing in the Minor Counties Championship and the MCCA Knockout Trophy. The Minor Counties play three-day...
in the minor counties championship
Minor Counties Cricket Championship
The Minor Counties Cricket Championship is a season-long competition in England that is contested by those county cricket clubs that do not have first-class status...
. Having scored centuries for Northamptonshire in consecutive second XI matches at the start of the 1996 season he was given his first-class debut against Oxford University
Oxford University Cricket Club
Oxford University Cricket Club is a first-class cricket team, representing the University of Oxford. It plays its home games at the University Parks in Oxford, England...
, scoring an unbeaten
Not out
In cricket, a batsman will be not out if he comes out to bat in an innings and has not been dismissed by the end of the innings. One may similarly describe a batsman as not out while the innings is still in progress...
76 in the second innings. Later in the season he appeared for England Under-19s
English U-19 cricket team
The English Under-19 cricket team have been playing official Under-19 test matches since 1974. Prior to 1991/92 they were known as England Young Cricketers....
against New Zealand
New Zealand U-19 cricket team
The New Zealand Under-19 cricket team have been playing official Under-19 test matches since 1986. Former captains of the team include Stephen Fleming, Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns and Brendon McCullum...
before making his County Championship
County Championship
The County Championship is the domestic first-class cricket competition in England and Wales...
debut against Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire County Cricket Club
Gloucestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Gloucestershire. Its limited overs team is called the Gloucestershire Gladiators....
.
Swann continued to play mostly second XI cricket in 1997 but made two first-class appearances at the end of the season. In the second of these he scored his maiden first-class century, batting at number three against Warwickshire
Warwickshire County Cricket Club
Warwickshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Warwickshire. Its limited overs team is called the Warwickshire Bears. Their kit colours are black and gold and the shirt sponsor...
at Edgbaston
Edgbaston Cricket Ground
Edgbaston Cricket Ground, also known as the County Ground or Edgbaston Stadium, is a cricket ground in the Edgbaston area of Birmingham, England...
he made 136. He began the following season in the first team but poor form led to him returning second XI cricket. After scoring three centuries in four innings at that level he returned to the first team where he scored 85 against Kent
Kent County Cricket Club
Kent County Cricket Club is one of the 18 first class county county cricket clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the county of Kent...
, this was his only first-class fifty of the season.
Swann continued to switch between the first and second team in 1999 although he showed improved form, in 12 first-class matches he scored 573 runs at an average of 31.83. Playing against Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Nottinghamshire, and the current county champions. Its limited overs team is called the Nottinghamshire Outlaws...
in June he scored a career-best 154 and shared a 217-run partnership
Partnership (cricket)
In the sport of cricket, two batsmen always bat in partnership, although only one is on strike at any time. The partnership between two batsmen will come to an end when one of them is dismissed or retires, or the innings comes to a close In the sport of cricket, two batsmen always bat in...
with Matthew Hayden
Matthew Hayden
Matthew Lawrence Hayden AM is a former Australian cricketer, and was signed to the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL until the 2010 season. Hayden is a powerful and aggressive left-handed opening batsman, known for his ability to score quickly at both Test and one day levels.Hayden holds the record...
in the process, despite this he returned to second XI cricket the following week. He made his List A debut against Nottinghamshire a month later, scoring 74 as opener and again sharing a century partnership with Hayden.
In 2000 Swann made only three first-class appearances and after a poor 2001 season in which he averaged 21.77 from 13 matches he was released by the club.
Lancashire
In January 2002 Swann was signed by Lancashire to strengthen their batting options following the retirement of Mike AthertonMike Atherton
Michael Andrew Atherton OBE is a broadcaster, journalist and retired England international cricketer. A right-handed opening batsman for Lancashire and England,and occasional leg-break bowler, he achieved the captaincy of England at the age of 25 and led the side in a record 54 Test matches...
. Swann was a regular opener during the 2002 season playing 18 first-class matches and scoring 1,073 runs at 37.00. His tally was the first and only time he reached a 1,000 runs in a season and included two centuries, both against Yorkshire
Yorkshire County Cricket Club
Yorkshire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Yorkshire as one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure....
. Innings of 128 and 111 made him the first Lancastrian to score centuries in his first two Roses match
Roses Match
The Roses Match refers to any game of cricket played between Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Lancashire County Cricket Club. Yorkshire's emblem is the white rose, while Lancashire's is the red rose. The associations go back to the Wars of the Roses in the 15th century...
es.
The following two seasons were less successful for Swann, in 15 first-class matches he scored 467 runs at 21.22. He was released by the club at the end of 2004 season.