The tweaker, 34, had performed poorly this series, as had all of England’s bowlers, with the exception of Stuart Broad at times.
He pulls up stumps as the his country’s best spinner, with 255 wickets in 60 matches.
Swann makes the call ahead of the fourth Test on Boxing Day at the MCG, saying getting a tribute from England’s faithful as not a good enough reason to continue.
Did he jump before he was pushed? We won’t know, although the only obvious replacement Monty Panesar hasn’t exactly set the world alight this tour.
“I came to Australia in the hope of winning our fourth Ashes series on the trot but that’s now impossible,” Swann is quoted telling The Sun.
“So it’s time for someone else to buckle in and enjoy the ride. I could have made myself available for the last two Tests and maybe had a bit of a send-off from the Barmy Army.
“But that’s no reason to hang on for two more games. I like to be the centre of attention — but for the right reason by winning games of cricket.”
Shane Watson smashed Swann for 22 runs in one over in Perth, but not as many as George Bailey hit veteran James Anderson for with 28.
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