Warne weighs in on Swann spat

Shane Warne says retired bowler Graeme Swann's tongue-lashing of his England team-mates may have been designed to fire them up for the final two Ashes matches.

QUICK SINGLE: Swann's war of words with Vaughan

Swann shocked the cricketing world by quitting England's doomed campaign just four days out from the Boxing Day Test and retiring from international cricket following three drubbings by the Australians to hand the Ashes back to Michael Clarke's men after four and half years.

His comments that some players "have no idea how far up their own backsides they are" sparked a war of words between the spinner and former England captain Michael Vaguahn.

But Warne preferred to give the England's greatest spinner of the modern era, who finished with 255 wickets from 60 Tests, the benefit of the doubt.

"It's an emotional time for Graeme," Warne said. "And hopefully that was a way to lift the guys and say:`Come on, pull your heads out and let's finish the tour on a high'."

Warne said he hoped Swann would be remembered for his on-field performances, including leading England to victory in half of his 60 Test matches, and not his acrimonious departure from the game.

"I don't think it's about harping on the negative things," Warne said. "I think Graeme Swann's been an amazing bowler for England and it's about celebrating his career.

"He's doing the right things for his team and for himself and we should be all praising Graeme Swann."

Warne was speaking at an event for sponsor Advanced Hair Studio, alongside former England captain and the tourists' current batting coach Graham Gooch.

Gooch denied talk of in-fighting in the England camp and blamed the UK press' hunt for scapegoats.

"We've got to look forward, not back," Gooch said. "He's (Swann) been a fine, fine cricketer for England and has been a very influential bowler over the last few years.

"It's going to be a big hole out of the England team."