"I was trying to go through my whole career without needing more surgery," Swann said. "But the specialist said something needed to be done. So be it. It's a huge year for English cricket so if this means taking a more active part then it's something I have to do.
"I knew something wasn't right, I couldn't put an extra snap on the ball when I was bowling. I was only 70-80 per cent fit.
"If I don't have the surgery it's more or less curtains. I'm buoyed by the success last time I had it done. My elbow was in a lot worse shape then; it was like a bomb had gone off in there."
Swann only discovered his changed circumstances yesterday morning when the scans came back.
"In Queenstown, just before the [New Zealand XI] game, I felt an unusual pain I hadn't felt since before the last operation.
"It got worse during the game. I raised my fears with the doctor and the scans showed there had been deterioration.
"I'll be relieved once it's done but I'm apprehensive now because I don't like general anaesthetics."
At the other end of the spectrum was a buoyant Bruce Martin. He will debut for New Zealand alongside Hamish Rutherford.
Persistent rain forced play to be abandoned on the opening day at Dunedin's University Oval after the hosts won the toss and chose to field.
Martin was handed his cap by former international Simon Doull, who played with him in his early days at Northern Districts. His elevation was matter-of-fact.
"Baz [Brendon McCullum] came in [at breakfast], stuck out his hand and said 'congrats and go well'. He knows how I operate. That's how I like it."
