Top 5 bowling spells by Graeme Swann

#3 - 8/158 vs Australia, 2009 Ashes, 5th Test

Swann was a part of three Ashes-winning England sides

As stated earlier, Swann was part of three Ashes-winning English sides, playing a major part in the each of those triumphs.

While his nine-wicket haul in the Lord's Test during the 2013/14 Ashes series as well as his seven-wicket haul at Adelaide in 2010 are noteworthy mentions, perhaps his most vital contribution in an Ashes series came during the 5th Test of his first Ashes experience in 2009.

The series was level at 1-1 heading into the decider at The Oval but the momentum was firmly with the visitors having won the fourth Test by an innings and 80 runs.

It was England skipper Andrew Strauss won the all-important toss and decided to bat first, saw his side score 332 in the first innings. In reply, the Australians found the duo of Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann too hot to handle as they picked up nine wickets between them to help dismiss the visitors for just 160 runs.

The hosts pressed home the advantage by scoring 373 runs in the second innings and faced with a daunting target of 545, Ricky Ponting's side were unable to cope up as they fell short by 197 runs.

Swann picked up his second 4-wicket haul of the match to finish with figures of 8/158 as England won the 2009 Ashes series 2-1.