Graeme Swann doubts Shane Warne will return

There have been calls for Warne to return (GETTY IMAGES)

Spinner Graeme Swann believes that calls for Shane Warne to come out of retirement prove that England have Australia running scared after taking a 1-0 Ashes lead.

Speculation that Warne, Australia's all-time leading wicket-taker, could make a shock return to Test ranks after four years have intensified since England completed an innings-and-71-run win in the second Test at Adelaide on Tuesday.

While unlikely, Warne has not categorically ruled out the possibility of putting the Baggy Green back on, saying only he was "very flattered" by the Australian media and public's calls for his return.

Swann does not expect Warne to make a return and said the fact the idea has been floated only serves to underline England's dominance in the series so far.

"I very much doubt that Shane Warne would come out of retirement to play just in these three games," he said.

"It's very good for us that the Aussies are doing this and the Aussie public are looking for Shane to get back in.

"He's not played any cricket for so long.

"We'll just carry on as we are and let the Aussies worry about that."

The one concern England do have is deciding on a replacement for quick Stuart Broad, who was ruled out of the remainder of the tour after suffering an abdominal injury in Adelaide.

Swann admits that Broad's absence will be a blow ahead of the third Test in Perth next week, but has backed his replacement to fill the void.

England's selectors will chose between Chris Tremlett or Yorkshire duo Ajmal Shahzad and Tim Bresnan to come into the side - with all three set to play in the tour game against Victoria which starts tomorrow.

"Since we've landed in Australia everything has gone our way until Broady got injured just at the end of this game. That's the first kick we've had," Swann added on BBC Radio 5 Live.

"He's been over the last 18 months probably our most consistent bowler with the new ball and then the runs he scored against Pakistan last summer just showed how good he can be with the bat.

"So just as he's in good nick it's a shame to lose him. It's going to be very hard to fill his boots, but we've got some very good back-up.

"Hopefully it will be a fairly smooth transition."

Swann will be rested for the game against the Bushrangers after his heavy workload in Adelaide, where he bowled England to victory with five second-innings wickets.

"I'm not playing in this game. I've been given the chance to recuperate," he said.

"After bowling 70 overs my hands are almost falling off. I'm very thankful I've been given the game off."