Swann regrets going on Ashes tour

Former England off-spinner Graeme Swann has said he should never have gone on last summer’s Ashes tour, during which he retired midway through the Test series.

With England trailing three-nil in the series, Swann made the decision to call time on his career, citing an injury to his right elbow.

He told UK newspaper The Telegraph that he wishes he had better "read the signs" of his body.

“In retrospect, I shouldn't have gone on the tour at all,” Swann said. “That is my regret.

“I wish after The Oval I had read the signs more rather than just think, 'I will be fine. Jim (Anderson) will get 30 wickets. I will only have to hold one end up. I will be fine and we will win the Ashes'.

“That is my only regret.”

Swann also hit back at claims from Graham Gooch, England's Test batting coach from 2009-14, that the spinner’s mid-series retirement was “criminal” and “made (England) a laughing stock.”

"I cannot understand why he couldn't stick it out until the end of the trip,” Gooch added. “It left a bad taste."

Swann, who took 255 Test wickets during a 60-match career, argued that his withdrawal from the series was based on his inability to bowl competently.

“Perhaps if he had gained my perspective on it he might have seen the reasons why I did it,” he said. “I think he is a bit misinformed thinking I just left because of form.

“It wasn't because of form.

“It was because I just couldn't turn a cricket ball, which, as a spin bowler, means you are useless to your team.

“It wasn't a form thing, it was succumbing to the inevitable.”

Swann also agreed with England captain Alastair Cook’s assessment that sacked batsman Kevin Pietersen had this week “tarnished” a successful era of English cricket.

"I agree 100 per cent," he said. "But it doesn't blight my personal memories.

“Because I remember the good times. I don't (have regrets)] because certain things you have been led to believe might have happened didn't.

“(That is supported by) the very fact that however many people have been interviewed and no-one is supporting these claims which Kev is coming out with."