'I feel like a lottery winner after my England career', admits Swann following surprise retirement announcement

PUBLISHED: 03:19 EST, 23 December 2013 | UPDATED: 03:19 EST, 23 December 2013

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Graeme Swann is the first to admit it was difficult to envisage him becoming England’s sixth highest wicket-taker when he was banished back to county cricket for eight years after a first senior tour to South Africa more notable for immature behaviour then any serious potential as an off-spinner.

‘I can scarcely believe it,’ said Swann yesterday after the bombshell that he is to retire with immediate effect.

‘If someone had asked me back at the start what I would have finished with I’d have probably said 30 Test wickets, 50 in one-dayers and I’d have been involved in more missing the bus type antics. So to sit here having played 60 Tests with the wickets I’ve got and the teams I’ve played in. Well, I feel like a lottery winner. I feel ridiculous.’

Waving goodbye: Graeme Swann attends a press conference on Sunday in Melbourne to explain his reasons for retiring

If losing Swann is the latest, seismic blow to befall England on a tour where nothing is going right for them then a career that has seen him become one of the most significant players of his generation has to be celebrated. Swann has earned the right to go when he feels he should, even if that is in the middle of an Ashes.

‘There will be people who say I’ve gone at the wrong time but they would be people who pick fault with everything,’ said Swann after his emotional announcement at the MCG.

‘To carry on playing would be completely wrong for the team. If you are playing for the wrong reasons you are not helping anybody.

‘If I played in the last two Tests it would be simply to experience Melbourne and Sydney again and go out waving to the Barmy Army as I walked off. That sort of player doesn’t deserve to be in the team.

Gone: Swann walks off the field after being dismissed by Australia's Nathan Lyon during day five of the Third Ashes Test

'The best thing for this team is to start working out how they can rebuild and win in the future and having me around for two more games is not going to do that.’

Only last summer Swann was taking 26 wickets in a winning Ashes series and, despite two operations on his chronic right elbow, seemed set for another couple of years at the highest level, particularly with the dearth of alternative spinners at England’s disposal. But deep down he knew the end was nigh.

‘Yes I took those wickets last summer but truth be told I don’t think I bowled that well,’ said Swann.

‘At the back end of the Trent Bridge Test I could barely spin a ball on a five-day old pitch. I just knew that I wasn’t the same bowler I was a couple of years ago. Part of me wishes I had seen what was coming and quit after the Oval but I would never have forgiven myself because we came here trying to win our fourth Ashes series in a row.

Past glory: Swann (right) holds the Ashes urn with Alastair Cook (middle) and James Anderson (left) after victory against Australia last summer

'I thought this would be my last tour and part of me wanted to play against India at home but that would have been purely selfish because my elbow lets me down towards the end of games.’

He will be remembered as one of the great spinners. ‘When I went past Jim Laker my mum phoned me up and was almost in tears as he was her dad’s favourite and I only knew granddad Les until I was seven or eight. I couldn’t believe it either and feel very humbled by that.

'I went past Brian Statham the other day, too, and there are stands named after him! Things like that make you pinch yourself and wonder how it has all been possible in such a short time.’

Swann decided enough was enough halfway through the second Test in Adelaide but only told Alastair Cook and Andy Flower on Saturday.

Shock: Swann only told England coach Andy Flower of his plan to retire on Saturday

‘Andy was very understanding and kept on asking me if I was sure,’ said Swann. ‘But it was very difficult telly Cooky because he’s one of my best mates. I just sat down with him over a coffee and blurted it out – it was like one of his team talks, it didn’t make any sense!

'I’ve kept asking myself if I’ve made the right decision, kept going over it in my head, and kept coming back to the same thing. You are making the right decision.’

He will not be short of offers now and a man as well known for his wit and character as he is his cricket will embark on a career in the media possibly after a swansong in the Indian Premier League.

Expect him to take the Phil Tufnell route, combining commentary work with plenty of other opportunities in television and radio. He is not sure about the jungle but would consider Strictly Come Dancing.

Happy memories: Swann, pictured here lifting the Ashes urn after victory in Sydney in 2011, is England's sixth highest wicket-taker

‘God I can dance, I have great hips,’ he said. ‘I do want a career in the media but I’m not sure I want to commentate on cricket just yet. I haven’t said yes or no to anyone yet. I’m sending all the offers my agent’s way.’

First there will be time for family. ‘I am nervous about moving out of the dressing room because it’s all I’ve known’ he said.

‘All of a sudden I’ve got my wife and kids to go home to. It’s emotional but I’m not going to cry. I’m looking forward to taking my son Wilf to his first Newcastle game, and I’d better do it quick while we’re doing well, and watch the autumn rugby internationals, stuff like that.

‘If Wilf gets into playing cricket maybe I’ll have a game with him like my dad did with me. I’ve already told Mick Newell that I’ll be more than happy to go along to Trent Bridge and open the Graeme Swann Stand when they redo that bit of the ground that needs fixing up.

'It would have been lovely to go out on a winning note but at least I went out with a bang. My last ball in Test cricket to Shane Watson went about 135 metres. I’ll forever remember that…’