Does Graeme Swann really need a rest?

I feel foolish. Just last week, I wrote of the importance of the first-class matches on this Ashes tour away from the five Tests. And then England announce that they will in fact not be needing the services of their first choice bowling attack for the match against Australia A in Hobart on Wednesday.

Instead, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Steven Finn and Stuart Broad will heading north to Brisbane, so they can ‘acclimatise’ before the first Test which begins in ten days time.

My initial reaction was to splutter in shock, and curse Andy Flower loudly. But, after further reflection, I understand that the coach is in an impossible position. Let the bowlers go to Brisbane early and a shoddy opening day in the first Test will be put down to ‘undercooking’. Play them in Hobart and one (probably Stuart Broad) is bound to get injured in a really stupid manner, like sliding into an advertising board when the ball has already crossed the boundary.

I can see the argument both ways. It’s one of those situations where we just have to trust the coach. This is Andy Flower after all, and the decisions he's made so far in his short career as England coach have been pretty damn good.