Dravid urges attack against Swann

Rahul Dravid believes counter-attack may be the best method of keeping England spinner Graeme Swann at bay this summer.

India arrived in England on Tuesday morning for a four-match npower Test series, starting at Lord's next week, in which they will be out to protect their own number one status against hosts who are currently third in the International Cricket Council rankings.

"He's (Swann) an attacking bowler, and that's one of the things that is different. He's not just looking to contain; he's looking to take wickets," Dravid told The Cricketer magazine. "He's not scared to toss the ball up and gets turn with good sideways spin. It will be a good contest against batsmen who are good players against spin, who will not be scared to take him on."

Dravid, nicknamed 'The Wall' for his determination at the crease, has identified Swann - the leading slow bowler in the ICC's rankings for both one-day international and Test cricket - and England's pace spearhead James Anderson as significant threats.

"James Anderson has bowled really well. He's been the trump card," added the veteran middle-order batsman.

"Obviously Graeme Swann is a top-class spinner. We first saw him in England bowling here last time, and the boys rated him.

"He's come on leaps and bounds from then and has become one of their lead bowlers.

"Swann and Anderson are the key."

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