Prior to making his debut for Northamptonshire Swann had represented England at under-15 level and made appearances for Bedfordshire in the minor counties championship.
[1][4] Swann continued to switch between the first and second team in 1999 although he showed improved form, in 12 first-class matches he scored 573 runs at an average of 31.83.
Playing against Nottinghamshire in June he scored a career-best 154 and shared a 217-run partnership with Matthew Hayden in the process, despite this he returned to second XI cricket the following week.
[1] He made his List A debut against Nottinghamshire a month later, scoring 74 as opener and again sharing a century partnership with Hayden.
[9] Post cricket, Swann embarked on a career as a journalist as the sports correspondent of the Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph.