England's David Hasselhoff

There are many aspects that make the build-up to this Ashes series feel different to previous series. England have won their first tour match, Australia have lost at home to Sri Lanka and there are rumours of discontent in the hosts' camp. However, one of the other major differences is that England have arrived armed with the best spin bowler in the world. Graeme Swann is No. 2 in the world rankings and is viewed by many as the key to destination of the urn. However, the man himself is trying to keep it all in perspective - in his own unique way - as Stephen Brenkley found out in the Independent.

Good judges, of whom Warne can be considered one, have all been queueing up to note how effective Swann is. Warne indeed likened him to David Hasselhoff, once the beefcake star of the TV series Baywatch, in which he showed his pecs and Pamela Anderson flaunted other parts of her body. The comparison appears to have bemused even Swann.

"You certainly haven't seen me with my top off," he said with that lovely sardonic air he has. "Maybe it's that when I put my orange bathers on and walk along the beach I am surrounded by a plethora of hot women, but those days are behind me now because I am happily married."