England v South Africa: Kepler Wessels tips Graeme Swann to give hosts the advantage in Test series But now Wessels believes Swann has matured into the world-class bowler he always felt could play international cricket if he channelled his energy and jokes in the right direction. He always had tremendous potential. It was a case of finding his feet and putting it all together, which he has done later on in his career," said Wessels. I could see straight away he had the ability to bowl well for England. He could strike the ball cleanly and his fielding was good too. It was just a case of getting that mental maturity and knuckling down. I didn't expect him to change his personality; it was just to change his cricket ethic and responsibilities which he has done. I think at that time of his career he was nowhere near as mature as he is now. Most coaches at that stage had difficulty with him. He was not the easiest guy in the world to deal with. He has just got a strange sense of humour. At the time my regime was a tight one. It had to be because I inherited a difficult dressing room, which had nothing to do with Graeme. I managed it and turned it around quickly. He did not enjoy the disciplined regime we had but also at the time we had Monty Panesar coming through as well. In Swann's only series against South Africa, three winters ago, he was England's leading wicket-taker and man of the series. A damp summer has delayed the effectiveness of finger spin but he has a good record at the Oval (24 wickets at an average of 20.16). "I think it is in spin that England have the edge," said Wessels. Imran Tahir (South Africa's leg-spinner) still has it all to do. He has not proved himself yet on the international stage. Wessels left Northamptonshire in 2006 to coach in the Indian Premier League but his period at the club coincided with a new level of professionalism in county cricket such as the introduction of specialist fitness coaches, small steps which he believes have led to England becoming the world's leading Test side. "It has not surprised me at all because Division One of the County Championship, for me, is the strongest domestic competition in the world," he said. It is very competitive. They have strong teams and it has been like that for three or four years. That is all good for English cricket. Kepler Wessels is an ambassador for ESPNcricinfo.com