ASHES hero Graeme Swann has come full circle since his first England tour and on the eve of his South Africa return admitted he nearly gave up cricket altogether during his downward spiral.

Swann was in the tour party of 1999-2000 and made his oneday debut but missing the team bus after oversleeping put him out of favour with coach Duncan Fletcher, meaning the off-spinner waited more than seven years to represent his country again.

While at Northamptonshire and with his international hopes appearing to be in tatters, Swann contemplated a media career and certainly did not envisage the spectacular return to the England fold he has enjoyed in the last year.

‘‘When I was playing at Northants at the end I couldn’t have been further away from playing for England,’’ said the 30-year-old. ‘‘I didn’t even want to play cricket. I wanted to give up and become a hack.

‘‘There was a lot of time when I couldn’t imagine playing for England again.’’