Swann's continuing rise may surprise the Australians

Graeme Swann's impressive performance in the first Test against West Indies has got the Daily Telegraph's Steve James thinking the offspinner may give Australia a bit of trouble. Swann's stock is rising by the day and he could now become the key to England's Ashes bowling strategy. And an alliance with Monty Panesar is becoming ever more likely.

Swann has always differed from conventional English off-spinners in his instinct to attack, unafraid to probe outside the right-hander's off-stump and give the ball a good rip. Not for Swann the rolling of the ball from the ends of his fingers and dour run-prevention. Not unusual is a painful blister beside the middle joint of his middle finger. All the old favourites – surgical spirit, Friar's Balsam and even, however disgustingly, urine in a bucket – have been experimented with to harden the skin.

In the Observer Steve Smart reckons Philip Hughes could be the key to the Ashes and bowlers should scrutinise his unorthodox batting technique.

The Independent's Stephen Brenkley feels that due to the ECB's scheduling of summer 2009, by the time the Ashes is over the players will be tired if not injured and most observers may well have ceased to care.