London: England spinner Graeme Swann will soon fly out to join the rest of the World Cup squad after his wife Sarah gave birth to their first child on Thursday.
Swann, who also had to appear in court on Wednesday when he was cleared of a drink-driving charge, had delayed his departure for the tournament which starts today.
"This is an incredibly special day for us and we are both absolutely delighted and very proud parents," Swann said in a statement issued by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
"Both Sarah and Wilfred are doing very well and I am looking forward to enjoying the next couple of days with them both before I fly out to join the team for the World Cup."
The 31-year-old Swann has emerged as England's main spin bowler and was part of the Ashes-winning side in Australia.
In his absence, England won their first World Cup warm-up match against Canada on Wednesday by 16 runs in Fatullah, Bangladesh.
They face the Netherlands in their opening Group B match in Nagpur on Tuesday.
