By IANS,
Chennai : Still savouring the two wickets he took in his very first over against India, off-spinner Graeme Swann admitted that he had never dreamt of such a Test debut for England.
The 29-year-old Swann picked up the wickets of Gautam Gambhir (19) and Rahul Dravid (3) in his first over.
Speaking at a media conference at the end of the day’s play in the first Test here today, Swann said: “I am absolutely delighted. Going into the game, I just wanted to enjoy myself, considering that it is so difficult to get into the England team.”
It has been a long wait for Swann, who was first picked for England in 1999, but did not make it to the playing eleven and was subsequently dropped out of contention before making a comeback of sorts on the present tour.
Asked whether he had any specific plans for the Indian batsmen, Swann said: “I was more keen on pitching the ball in the right area. When I got my first wicket (that of Gambhir), I was obviously happy, and I was still thinking about it when I got Rahul Dravid out.”
On bowling to Sachin Tendulkar, who lofted the off-spinner over midwicket for a six, immediately after tea interval, Swann said he would have loved to watch the maestro bat, “but obviously not when you are playing against him. I was absolutely delighted when Freddie (Flintoff) got Sachin.”
Swann said he was inspired by debutant off-spinner Jason Krejza’s 12-wicket haul on debut against India when the Australians toured India recently.
“Yes, we had just arrived in India at that time and I did watch him on the TV. It is always good to see guys doing well and I wanted to do the same when I got an opportunity,” he said.
Looking ahead, Swann said a target of 350 should put England in a winning position.
“The pitch was good to bat on on the first day, but is beginning to turn now. We would be happy to set a target of 350. But right now, I am happy at the position we are in and it will be fantastic if we can get India out for less than 200 tomorrow,” he said.