#3 Graeme Swann
England off-spinner, Graeme Swann, decided to quit from Tests and First-Class cricket with immediate effect after the third Test of the Ashes series in 2013. With two Tests remaining, and England shamed by the Aussies, it was shocking to see a senior player retire and withdraw in the midst of a chaotic tour.
"When I came out on this trip I half expected it to be my last tour for England," Swann said in Melbourne. "I was desperately hoping to win the Ashes out here again, like we did in 2010-11, but with the Ashes gone now in those three Test matches, personally I think to stay on and selfishly play just to experience another Boxing Day Test match and another Sydney Test match would be wrong.
"It would be wrong for the team, wrong for me as well. It's time for someone else to strap themselves in and enjoy the ride like I have done. It's time for England to rebuild and refocus on winning back these big series. Me hanging around with the decision already made in my head wouldn't be right.
His retirement did not stand in good stead with fans back in England. Some former English captains like Michael Vaughan and Andrew Flintoff also criticised some comments made by Swann after retiring.
Swann's retirement left a hole in England's core group which had already been affected by Trott's withdrawal due to mental illness. Cook clearly stated later that England would miss the services of the off-spinner and that he had a great skill to balance a four-day attack.
Swann also commented that he should not have gone on the Ashes tour itself but he felt at the time that he could hold up.
Looking for fast live cricket scores? Download CricRocket and get fast score updates, top-notch commentary in-depth match stats & much more! 🚀☄️
