Swann starts as Monty is dropped

Monday, October 01, 2007 10:15am

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England have selected spinning all-rounder Graeme Swann ahead of Monty Panesar for the first one-day international against Sri Lanka in Dambulla.

Swann offers a more secure batting option down the order than Northamptonshire leg-spinner Panesar, as he opens the batting for his county side Nottinghamshire.

He will play for England at number eight on a pitch that is not thought to favour spin as much as some of the other pitches that the teams will play on during the five-match series in the sub-continent.

One other notable change to the side sees Durham wicketkeeper Phil Mustard named as an opening batsman alongside Alastair Cook with Matt Prior out injured.

Ravi Bopara also returns to the starting line-up in place of injured fellow all-rounder Andrew Flintoff.

And Ryan Sidebottom rejoins the bowling ranks alongside two of the stars of the one-day series against India over the summer, Stuart Broad and James Anderson.

England captain Paul Collingwood called the toss incorrectly and Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene has opted to bat first.

Full England team to play Sri Lanka:

Alastair Cook
Phil Mustard
Ian Bell
Kevin Pietersen
Paul Collingwood
Owais Shah
Ravi Bopara
Graeme Swann
Stuart Broad
Ryan Sidebottom
James Anderson