The spin star left Northants in 2005 for Nottinghamshire and has since gone on to establish himself in the England team.

Swann is certain to play against Australia in the Ashes series that gets underway next Wednesday.

But he admits that things got so bad at Wantage Road that he considered giving up cricket.

Swann was given an England call-up at the age of 19 but his career failed to take off at Northants, and he failed to impress coach Kepler Wessels.

"Some periods were so low that I thought about giving up," admitted the Northampton-born star.

"The end of my career at Northants was the worst time. I wasn't enjoying my cricket and I don't think they were enjoying having me around.

"The other players were banned from laughing at my jokes!"

Swann says the move to Notts was the turning point for him, adding in The Sun: "I made the decision to try to improve my game and get back into the England set-up.

"I hoped to get back in the one-day side but I didn't dare dream about playing Test cricket. Cricket is the best game in the world but it is only a game and Notts shared my philosophy."