Nottinghamshire’s talented off spinning all rounder, who played a lone one-day international in Bloemfontein in 2000, has thrown his hat into the ring for a winter tour with some fine recent performances including five for 17 and 59 from 33 balls against Gloucestershire last week.

A dangerous ball striker at the top of the order in one-day cricket, Swann often gets the innings off to a real flyer while as a bowler he has now allied patience and consistency to his ability to give the ball a real tweak.

Mick Newell, Nottinghamshire’s director of coaching has noted Swann’s new found maturity. “He’s improved his batting and is showing a lot more patience with the ball,” Newell said. “He’s been a really good one-day bowler for a while but is now much more consistent in the four-day game. We’ve still got to get a bit more thought in his batting. He basically hits fours which isn’t batting. Last week he scored fifty with 11 fours. In the second innings he scored 20 not out and showed some real responsibility, which is what we’re looking for.”

Swann’s impetuosity on the field reflects an extrovert character off it, which has not always been well-received. Again Newell is quick to jump to his man’s defence. “He’s lively around the dressing room but that’s not an objectionable quality. He’s a loud character but he’s a team player and has learnt that there is a time and a place.”

Graeme Swann could offer England’s one day team attacking options with bat and ball. He’s certainly one to watch.