Swann eyes Aussie scalps

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Off-spinner Swann knocked Shivnarine Chanderpaul off top spot in the world Test batting rankings by dismissing the West Indian left-hander cheaply twice in the crushing win at Lord's last week. Now the 30-year-old is hoping to snare a few Australian victims in this summer's main event.

"Well, I'm not allowed to ... but of course I do," said Swann, of thinking about the prospect of facing the old enemy. "It's not just a party line when we say we've got to focus on the cricket we're playing now - because obviously if you don't and you play badly you're not going to be in the Ashes."

He added: "But every time you go to sleep at night, it's always there at the back of your mind.

"I'm no different from anyone else. But I know that to get there in the first place I've got to carry on performing in this series, in the Twenty20, in the one-dayers - because it only takes two or three bad games and you're consigned to the scrap-heap again, while they look for another off-spinner to come and take your place. I'm not going to let that happen.

"But sure ... at the back of my mind, I want an MBE - like the rest."

And Swann admits that his super show against Chanderpaul and co in the first Test against the West Indies was the perfect start to potentially the biggest summer of his career.

"To get him first ball in the first innings was 'Roy of the Rovers' stuff," said Swann, of dismissing Chanderpaul. "I couldn't believe I'd done that.

"Then I got hit for four and let him off his pair. I was gutted about that, because I didn't want him to do it against me.

"Then to get him next ball, when he was still ranked the number one player in the world is a bit of a ridiculous notion to think of. But I'm delighted I've done it."