After growing up in an era of almost routine humiliations, England off-spinner Graeme Swann can hardly believe he is a part of an England squad hoping to make history by claiming a fourth straight Ashes triumph this winter.

England head Down Under in November in the midst of a grip on the famous trophy that has never been so emphatic after wrapping up a relatively straightforward 3-0 series victory over Australia at The Oval in August.

“Sometimes I have to pinch myself that I’m playing in an era like this,” Swann said, appearing at a charity event.

“Australia seemed almost invincible when I was growing up, and you knew it was going to be 3-0 or 4-1 when the Ashes came round.

“We had some good players in those days but as a young cricketer you never really aspired to win it.

“To be playing in an era in which we have won it three times in a row, I sometimes find hard to believe.”

Nevertheless Swann is adamant the weight of a potential record-breaking achievement will not prove a burden.

“The important thing is to go out and win things and if that rewrites the record books then that’s great,” added Swann.

Swann, who starred as the leading wicket-taker with 26 in the summer series, accepts three consecutive triumphs could lead to some complacency among a new generation of fans brought up on England’s heroic recent exploits.

And while he made clear there will be no such assumption of victory within the England squad, he insists the position of favourites is one they are fully entitled to relish.

“Maybe there is some complacency (among fans) but if we’re expected to beat them then that’s a very good sign,” he said.