Swann ruled out of Kiwi Test series with elbow injury

England’s off-spinner spoke on Monday, in his newspaper column, of fears that his elbow might compromise his availability at some point in this high-profile year which will comprise of two eagerly-anticipated Ashes series.

It has done so in the very first match of the New Zealand tour, with ECB last night confirming that spinner James Tredwell would join the England squad following the withdrawal of Swann.

For the first Test, however, England instead named Monty Panesar as their spin option, in an otherwise predictable line-up, with Stuart Broad named as the third seamer.

An ECB statement released late last night said: “England off-spinner Graeme Swann has been ruled out of the current Test series against New Zealand due to a right elbow injury.

“Swann will travel to the United States next week to have an operation on his right elbow and will then undergo a period of rehabilitation and recovery allowing an anticipated return to competitive cricket in the early summer. A further update will be available following the operation.”

Bad light delayed the start of the match, pictured above, with rain sweping in to leave the square under full cover.

PICTURE: Anthony Devlin/PA.