There could be no relaxation, though, for a team who had failed to bat out the final day in Sydney at the start of the year.

BBC: Indian batsmen defy Australians

England needed to bat out the final day of the second Test at Taunton to secure a draw, but seamer Jhulan Goswami's second five-wicket haul of the game left India with a target of only 98 and they duly knocked off the runs.

BBC: Clare Connor is a hard act to follow.

Swann helped England regain the Ashes last year, claiming eight wickets in the decisive final Test victory at Oval and averaging 35 with the bat, which has also helped him to fourth place in the world all-rounder rankings.

BBC: Graeme Swann named England cricketer of the year