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Swann puts Oval case

Glamorgan (221-4) bt Northants(168) by 53 runs

Duncan Fletcher, the new England coach and selector, cannot fail to have been impressed by the all-round abilities of Northamptonshire's Graeme Swann, the name on many lips for next week's Oval Test.

Swann, arriving in a crisis after Steve Watkin had taken three wickets in four balls, played a fighting innings of 63 off 64 balls, a personal best in this competition.

It took a catch of equal ability, plucked out of the air one-handed by Alun Evans at deep square leg to dismiss Swann after he had dominated a stand of 91 in 17 overs with Kevin Curran. He hit seven boundaries and a six.

Swann's off-breaks also caught the eye when he came on midway through the Glamorgan innings with Jacques Kallis and Steve James sharing a second-wicket stand of 69 in 11 overs.

Swann troubled all the batsmen and trapped James with one that turned a long way. He also took a hot catch on the boundary.

But Kallis's 72 off 123 balls and Watkins' three for 15 in nine overs were instrumental in Glamorgan ending Northants' competition run of five wins.