Swann upbeat after injury scare

Graeme Swann became England's first injury scare of their tour of Australia when he was struck on the thumb while batting in the nets during the squad's first training session at the WACA on Monday. However, the extent of the damage was quickly played down by his team-mate Stuart Broad, as England set their sights on their opening first-class warm-up match against Western Australia on Friday.

Swann is currently the highest-ranked spin bowler in the world, and is widely considered to be England's key weapon going into the Ashes. So there was understandable concern when he was struck on the thumb by a rising delivery from Tim Bresnan. He received ice treatment and strapping, but his upbeat body language suggested that no long-term damage had been inflicted.

"He's fine. It's just a bit of precautionary strapping," Broad told reporters after the session. "I don't think he's in any trouble at all. He just got a bit of a blow, which you're used to in nets. I think he's pleased his thumb got him out of the running."

"Thanks to both of you who enquired about my thumb," Swann later wrote on his Twitter feed. "It's fine, I just like my boiled eggs runny."

Swann was nevertheless the third member of England's bowling contingent to suffer an injury worry, following the rib injuries sustained by James Anderson and Chris Tremlett during the pre-series bonding session in Bavaria last month. Anderson, however, took part in the nets session without any obvious discomfort, although having been diagnosed with a fracture, he may not be risked until England's subsequent practice matches at Adelaide and Hobart later this month.

England's preparations took place against the backdrop of two intriguing contests - firstly at the WACA, where Australia were brushed aside by seven wickets by Sri Lanka in a Twenty20 international on Sunday night, and secondly on a greentop at the Gabba in Brisbane, the venue for the first Ashes Test on November 25, where the home side, Queensland, failed to pass 100 in either of their two innings against New South Wales.

Commenting on Australia's setback, however, Broad insisted that England would not be reading anything into the result. "It's a completely different format of the game, and I think there are only two or three players who were involved last night and look in the frame for the first Ashes Test match," he said. "So there's certainly nothing we can take from last night as an England team."