Cricket: Swann delight at Test debut.

GRAEME SWANN was today given his Test debut as England chose a twin spin attack for the opening match against India.

The Nottinghamshire off-spinner was chosen in a line-up which included two changes from England's last Test appearance against South Africa at The Oval in the summer.

Swann was chosen to partner left-arm spinner Monty Panesar, while Matt Prior returns as wicketkeeper as a replacement for Tim Ambrose.

Today's promotion ends a long wait for Swann, who was selected for the 1999-2000 tour to South Africa but failed to feature in any of the Tests and was then sidelined by coach Duncan Fletcher.

England's decision to partner Swann with Panesar, his former Northamptonshire teammate, represents a considerable gamble against an India side renowned for their ability to play spin.

But captain Kevin Pietersen revealed that watching Australian offspinner Jason Krejza, who claimed 12 wickets on his Test debut in Nagpur at the start of November, convinced England two spinners was the best way forward.

"It's a decision we have come to because we think the wicket could spin," explained Pietersen.

"We've had a look at it and it probably gives us our best and most attacking option.

"Graeme Swann has bowled absolutely fantastically leading up to this Test match and done a great job, so it's a welldeserved debut.

"They are not bad players of spin but it's pretty important we go in with two spinners. It doesn't matter how good a player of spin you are, you still have to play well on the day."

Swann was understandably delighted when Pietersen revealed the team at a players' meeting this morning.

"He was ecstatic when I told him," said Pietersen.

"It's a huge moment for anybody to get a Test cap and he's thrilled to bits."

ENGLAND TEAM: Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen (capt), Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff, Matt Prior (wk), Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Steve Harmison, Monty Panesar.

CAPTION(S):

CALL-UP: Swann