Now he is the world’s leading Test wicket-taker in 2009 and dreaming of an Ashes series and maybe even an MBE. His transformation from ugly duckling to proud Swann is remarkable, reports The Sun.The Notts all-rounder scored 63 not out and took six wickets in last week’s first Test against the West Indies at Lords.

He was chosen for the tour of South Africa in 1999-20 at 20 but was hopelessly under-prepared.

Swann, now 30, said: “I wasn’t good enough then. I had a few rough years but they have helped make me a better bowler. I always had the knack of bowling well against overseas players. But I used to bowl too many bad balls – and now I’m gradually removing them.”

Swann has 25 wickets in four Tests this year – more than anyone else – and dismissed world No 1 Shiv Chanderpaul for 0 and 4 at Lord’s.

He said: “I had to pinch myself. I opened the bowling in the first innings on a green top.

Flintoff, who has been out of action for nearly three months after undergoing a knee surgery, showed signs that he is ready to take the field once again when he took six wickets in his comeback match against Durham last week.

It is expected that Flintoff will take on the field in the practice match against the Warwickshire beginning from July 1.

English coach Andy Flower said that Freddie has virtually recovered from the operation on his right knee.

“It is very good news that Andrew is back playing again and apparently recovered from his operation. I’d think Flintoff would be in the squad for the match against Warwickshire. He is a shoo-in for the First Test if he is fit and firing,” The Sun quoted Flower, as saying.

Victory, achieved with more than a day to spare, saw England take the five-match series 2-1.

Australia, set what would have been a record fourth innings victory total of 546, were bowled out for 348 with Michael Hussey last man out for 121, when he was caught close in by Alastair Cook off spinner Graeme Swann.

“It’s a special moment. It hasn’t sunk in yet. We had to dig in and fight,” said England skipper Andrew Strauss.

“When we were bad in the series, we were very bad but when we were good we were very good.”

Australia captain Ricky Ponting said: “We gave it all we could, but it wasn’t enough. Full credit to England, they won the crucial moments and deserved to win the series.

“I think this series has shown that Test cricket is alive and well around the world.”

“I don’t think we should start that way, no,’ the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Clarke, as saying.

“In the 50-odd Tests I’ve played, we’ve never played for a draw, I’m pretty confident we won’t be out there trying for a draw,’ he added.

He said Australia’s statistical dominance in the series would count for nothing at The Oval with the tourists having five of top six run-scorers and the three leading wicket-takers.

“That doesn’t guarantee you are going to win. What’s important is the four Tests that are gone are exactly that – gone. Right now they mean nothing. It’s 1-1, this is the important Test match and this is the one we’re focused on,’ he said further.

The 31-year-old said that the match was bigger than any player.

“The occasion – 1-1 in an Ashes series, having a chance to win the Ashes at the Oval – is huge,” Flintoff was quoted as saying in the Times. “It’s my last Test, but I’m not too fussed about that. It’s more the chance to win the Ashes again.

“I’m not the first person to announce Test retirement during a series and I won’t be the last, but the occasion is bigger than that.”

Flintoff, who missed the defeat at Headingley Carnegie, is confident he will be fit to play in two days’ time.