England are confident spinner Graeme Swann will be fit for next month's World Cup, despite being ruled out Tuesday of the rest of the Australian tour with a back injury. England coach Andy Flower said Swann would not play in any of the final four matches of the seven-game one-day international series against Australia, which the home side lead 3-0.
Swann, who had been expected to miss Wednesday's match at the Adelaide Oval due to a bruised knee, is heading back to England to prepare himself for the World Cup, being held in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. All-rounder Tim Bresnan has already headed home after suffering a calf strain during the second match in Hobart last Friday. Flower said the gruelling tour, now well into its third month, was taking its toll on the tourists.
"Graeme Swann will be taking the earliest flight home," Flower said. "He's unfortunately got a strain in his lower back and that, allied with his knee problem, means that it is best for him to go home and get ready for the World Cup now.