England add 2 spinners to squad after Swan retirement

MELBOURNE: England on Monday added spinners Scott Borthwick and James Tredwell to their Ashes tour squad in Australia following Graeme Swann´s retirement from international cricket.

Durham leg-spinner Borthwick was scheduled to arrive in Melbourne late Monday and will train with the squad before the fourth Test starts on Thursday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Team officials said Borthwick, recommended by Swann for the England team, would be available for selection in the Boxing Day Test.

Swann announced his immediate retirement from international and first-class cricket mid-way through the series, with Australia already holding an unassailable 3-0 lead and retrieving the Ashes urn they lost in 2009. "Personally I hope Scott Borthwick gets a chance before long," the off-spinner said at his Sunday press conference to announce his retirement. "He´s a leg-spinner with a bit of X-factor and he can bat as well."

Kent off-spinner Tredwell will arrive in Melbourne during the fourth Test and will be available for selection for the final Test in Sydney beginning on January 3.

Monty Panesar, who is expected to be part of the England attack in the Melbourne Test, paid tribute on Monday to fellow spinner Swann.

He noted Swann took 255 Test wickets compared to Australian legend Richie Benaud, who snared 248 with his leg-spin. "That´s the elite class ... he´s obviously an icon cricket