Graeme Swann, always the chuckling duckling

Graeme Swann is a fun-loving character, the joker of the pack. Given this image his appointment as the England Twenty20 captain has generated much speculation on how he will adjust to the leadership role. Sanjjeev Karan Samyal writes

Graeme Swann is a fun-loving character, the joker of the pack. Given his image as one not to be taken seriously, his appointment as the England Twenty20 captain has generated much speculation on how he will adjust to the leadership role that will require him to act more seriously.

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Swann is the most popular player with the England fans and is the life of the dressing room. But England cricket history shows easy going characters haven't been favourites of the England board. David Gower had a tough time as captain, and so did Ian Botham. Swann was named to take over after Stuart Broad was injured.

Changing ownself?

"In the Test team, I am a bit of a joker with a humorous line to keep the spirits up, that's my role. In Twenty20, we will have a lot of young players and I will have to be more serious. But I am not going to change my style. I have always played my game in a spirited way and have got my success that way," said Swann, who will captain a youthful squad in England's two T20 internationals against West Indies at the Oval.

Swann couldn't settle at Northampton under the strict regime of Kepler Wessels and only came into his own at Nottinghamshire, where he was encouraged to remain the fun-loving guy he is.

This is the first time Swann will be captaining a senior side. Asked when the last time he led a side was, Swann said: "That was a long time ago, must be the Northants second XI where I led for half the match and then David Capel took over. I have extensively captained in my junior days, right from under-9 to under-18. It should have been a natural progression in County cricket but that didn't happen.

"I have always captained in my mind (when playing for England), like everyone does. The way I will handle things will be different from Strauss and Cook, but our current T20 set-up has got so much success, generally it will be a continuation in the same direction," said Swann.

The England board might be a bit edgy about their new appointment, but there is no doubt it will go down well with the fans. Their Swann will always be someone who keeps going, keeps smiling, always wanting to win.