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Swann confident England can dominate in ODIs

Last updated on: September 2, 2011 10:00 IST
Graeme Swann

England have swept the Test series 4-0 and won the lone Twenty20 too, but off-spinner Graeme Swann feels the upcoming five-match ODI series starting on Saturday would be a great test for the hosts.

Swann and co have so far completely outplayed India on the tour and the off-spinner said they will now look to extend their domination in the One-day series as well.

"It is a great test for us -- hopefully the conditions will suit us and we can pull off a victory. It's where we want to go in One-day cricket, we want to be an improving team and it's a good chance to start," Swann said.

"We are going to have to be at our absolute best to beat them and we are confident at the moment; that Twenty20 win on Wednesday has done no harm for our confidence at all," he added.

'We are hoping to carry that on in the ODIs'

Last updated on: September 2, 2011 10:00 IST
Graeme Swann

England, who replaced India as the world No 1 Test team with their 4-0 whitewash, are currently ranked fifth in the ICC ODI rankings. A series victory over India will see them climb up the ladder. Over the years, England have failed to take their superior Test form into limited-overs cricket and Swann said this is an area where they would look to work on this summer.

"This was an area we need to really watch; it can often be a bit of a damp squib after a Test series and hopefully it will be a positive rather than negative end to the summer," he said.

"It's not something we have discussed amongst us until now, but I'm sure we will soon. The summer has gone great for us; we are hoping to carry that on in the One-day series. It's a better feeling to be winning rather than losing," he added.

England banking on 'X-factor' players Morgan, Dernbach

Last updated on: September 2, 2011 10:00 IST
Eoin Morgan

In their last two Ashes wins, where they beat Australia 2-1 at home in 2009 and 3-1 away last winter, England were unable to hold on to their form and lost 1-6 in the two seven-match ODI series that followed.

Asked about England's poor ODI record, Swann said, "I dunno ... we've missed a certain X-factor in players but I think we're getting that now in Jake Dernbach and Eoin Morgan... we're starting to find those real match-winners with bat and ball."

The five-match ODI series versus India begins in Durham on Saturday.