
Swann apologises for Siddique send-off
Graeme Swann thinks he is in the captain's bad books after swearing at Junaid Siddique.
Swann took five-wicket hauls in both innings, including three in the decisive afternoon session today, to become the first English off-spinner to take 10 wickets in a match since Jim Laker in 1956.
And while his guile and determination across nearly 80 overs of hard graft earned him the right to be mentioned in such company, his coarse send-off to Junaid, who had compiled a wonderful 106, did not.
"It was in the heat of the moment. It was not anything malicious but I apologise unreservedly," said Swann.
"I know I did swear and it's not something I condone so I feel a bit ashamed. Afterwards I told him he batted very well. There's no ill feeling.
"It was not meant as a personal slight on him, just as a release of pent up frustration.
"It's testament to him that he did get everyone frustrated. It was just a spur of emotion which is exactly what Cookie told us not to do, so I'm in his bad books."
In public at least, Alastair Cook maintained that he had not been aware of Swann's indiscretion at the time.
"I honestly didn't hear it," said the captain.
"But we're trying to play in the right spirit of the game. The umpires did an excellent job I think and at no stage did they come to me and say they thought we crossed the line.
"In hot conditions, I was (happy with the conduct). It was easy for things to bubble over a lot more than they did."
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