All-rounder Graeme Swann hopes that the depth of the Notts bowling attack will help the quest to mount a serious challenge for honours this season.

Notts have emerged as the early season pace-setters in division one of the LV County Championship and the midlands group of the Friends Provident Trophy with plaudits being heaped on the bowlers who have found wickets easy to come by so far.

Veteran all-rounder Mark Ealham took 4-39 in Sunday’s win over Ireland after Darren Pattinson had announced his arrival with 5-22 in the first innings of last week’s win over Kent.

Swann took 1-32 in Dublin before hitting 21 from 18 balls and was quick to praise his team mates.

“This would be a dream team if Siddy and Broady weren’t in the England squad and with Mark Ealham, Charlie Shreck and Darren Pattinson we are a bit spoilt so hopefully we’ll be smiling at the end of September,” said Swann.

“Having Chris Read in the side is so much to our benefit because he is a truly fantastic cricketer.

“He gets the runs and leads the troops well and the country’s loss is definitely our gain.

“I was quite happy with my batting at a time when we needed to add impetus to the innings and get a decent total on the board.”

Swann batted at number seven but is keen to move up the order for the Outlaws as he presses for a place in England’s one day squad.

“I think I’m viewed as an opener in Twenty20 and 40 over cricket and I will grab any chance I get to open up with both hands,” he said.

“Everything went well for me in Sri Lanka but it became apparent that I wasn’t going to be in the team for the tests in New Zealand but I’m looking forward to the ODI’s starting so that I can have another go at the Kiwis.”

Swann, Broad and Sidebottom are all available for the LV County Championship game against Yorkshire which begins at Headingley on Wednesday.