AN England cricket star was fined after Kidderminster Magistrates failed to be bowled over by his defence.

Graeme Swann, 33, pleaded not guilty today to failing to identify who was driving his Jaguar after it was caught speeding.

He said his agent was in the XFR at the time of the alleged offence in Pencraig, Herefordshire on May 25, last year.

“I received a letter through the post saying my car had been caught doing 74mph [in a 50mph zone]and I responded to that letter,” said the international spin bowler.

He claimed he had received a ticket and had sent his agent's details. Angela Higgins, decision maker for the Central Ticket Office on behalf of West Mercia Police said: “We haven’t received any correspondence or response from Graeme Swann.”

Mr Swann said he had not received four further letters warning of court action as he had not responded.

Defending, Philip Worrall, suggested a misprint in the address was to blame. All five letters were addressed to West Bridgend, Nottingham, when he lives in West Bridgford, Nottingham. However,the house number, road name and postcodes were all correct.

Mr Swann said the next letter he received was a summons, addressed correctly.

Prosecuting, Sam Dixon, asked the sportsman if he had received the letters and ignored or overlooked them, but he denied receiving them.

“I presumed it had been put to bed so I was quite surprised when it had come through,” he said. “I was quite annoyed - I had a letter saying failure to respond when I had actually responded. It wound me up.”

Magistrate Tim Morris said: “On the balance of probabilities we have not been satisfied by yourself that the four letters have gone astray.”

He added: “We find the prosecution more credible.” He imposed fines totalling £1,383 and six driving points. When handing in his license, the cricketer who has since moved house, said: “I’ll give the new address because I don’t want it going to the wrong address again.”