It sounds like a teenage dream: leader of a rock group one day, England cricketer the next. Graeme Swann has now lived that fantasy. On Monday he was preparing with the one-day party for the tour to New Zealand. The night before he sang to a packed crowd in a band called Dr Comfort and the Lurid Revelations.

Swann has bowled in front of fewer people than watched him on Sunday and the audience at the Southbank Bar on Trent Bridge, opposite the ground, included Ryan Sidebottom and Stuart Broad, his England colleagues. The news soon spread when the squad met at Loughborough for practice before their departure tomorrow.

“A lot of them were gobsmacked,” Swann said. “I had told them what I was doing, but most seemed to think I was kidding.” The set comprised of popular covers from U2, Aerosmith and Primal Scream among others. “An eclectic mix,” Swann said. “We all picked our favourites – apart from the drummer, who is into thrash metal.”

Lest the wrong impression set in, Swann sipped a single pint of beer and left early. It hardly fits the myth of hedonism on the road, but then Robert Plant, whose Led Zeppelin once played at the Boat Club no more than 100 yards away, never had to attend a training camp 12 hours later.

Andy Afford, the former Nottinghamshire spin bowler, who plays guitar, describes Swann as “60 per cent front man and 40 per cent singer”. Swann is not insulted. “Liam Gallagher can’t really sing and he is the best front man around,” he said. “I am a bit of a showman so I suppose singing appeals to my ego. I know the words and can belt them out with feeling at a decent volume. Actually, I thought I was all right.”

The idea of forming a band grew last year, but he was surprised when Afford, a semi-serious musician in his own youth, took the next step. The six-piece also includes Jim Hemmings, a son of Eddie, the Nottinghamshire legend. But a gig pencilled in for last year had to be postponed when Swann was recalled by England.

He subsequently took seven wickets in four one-day games in Sri Lanka and contributed crucial runs at No 8. Peter Moores, the head coach, described him as the most aggressive spin bowler on either side. The challenge now is to cement his place in the shorter form and break into the Test team. “I love New Zealand,” Swann said. “It is my second favourite place in the world, after our own green and pleasant land. New Zealand are a good one-day side, especially at home. They whopped Australia this time last year so it will be a good litmus test to see where we stand after winning the past two one-day series.” It remains to be heard whether New Zealand use Swann’s new identity as the tool for a killing sledge. Afford, not Swann, conjured the name of the group, although the newly christened Dr Comfort gave it immediate approval. “Hilarious,” Swann said. “I mean, we are not doing this seriously and looking for big album deals.”

A free spirit, he caught the music bug early in his career. He said: “My car had broken down so I ended up walking past all these shops in Northampton that I usually drove past. One sold musical instruments. It looked interesting so I decided to go for it and buy a guitar. These days I find that playing helps me to unwind.” With a second gig in April, his next task is to convince James Anderson, a beginner, to take his own guitar on tour. “He likes playing but doesn’t want to lug a guitar around New Zealand,” Swann said. “It is pathetic. I’ve told him, ‘How are you going to be the next John Squire [the former Stone Roses guitarist] with an attitude like that?’ ”

Musical players

Colin Blythe
Kent and England spin bowler played first violin in the Tonbridge Orchestra in the early 1900s

Jeremy Coney
Head of music at a school in New Zealand before becoming the national captain

Curtly Ambrose and Richie Richardson
Bass and lead guitarist in The New Dread and The Bald Head, based in Antigua

Brett Lee
Plays guitar in Six And Out, a group that also includes his brother and former Australia colleague, Shane

Mark Butcher
Singer and guitarist is recording his debut album between preseason commitments at Surrey

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