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Swann doesn't fear Panesar threat

Graeme Swann: 'The heat and conditions brought home how hard it's going to be in Sri Lanka' © Getty Images

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Graeme Swann feels England will need to call on two spinners throughout their tour of Sri Lanka, and for that reason does not fear for his place in the England team.

Left-arm spinner Monty Panesar claimed six wickets overall as England crushed Sri Lanka Board XI this week, while Swann managed to grab three. Panesar also performed admirably during England's chastening Test series against Pakistan earlier this year, helping himself to 14 scalps in all.

The form of the Sussex slow bowler threatens to leave Swann in the shade, but he is refusing to feel the stress. "He's bowled beautifully since he got back in, which is good, we need two spinners over here," Swann said to Sky Sports.

"I think it's quite a sad existence when people start looking over their shoulders, to be honest. If Monty's bowling better than me and he gets picked then fair play to him."

However, Swann concedes he is feeling the heat as the mercury rises - and appreciates the need to adjust before the first Test against Sri Lanka, which begins at Galle on March 26.

"The heat and conditions [against Sri Lanka Board XI] really brought home how hard it's going to be out here," he said. "It was too hot for me yesterday [Saturday], and too hot the day before."

Swann, ranked sixth in the ICC's Test bowling rankings, says he has pushed the whitewash against Pakistan right to the back of his mind.

"That series against Pakistan, we hope we've learned from the mistakes we made - but we've put it to bed because we're not focusing on it at all, and rightly so I think," he said.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.