Nottinghamshire spinner Graeme Swann has expressed his disappointment after missing out on a first career hat trick against a South Africa Airways XI.

Swann took three wickets in fourth ball with the third delivery in the sequence brushing the bail.

"The hat-trick ball turned and bounced just over the stumps," said Swann.

"I've never had a hat-trick in any cricket before so I begged Straussy to get everyone round the bat because I was desperate.

“It hurt me not to get it. I went down clutching my head. I was gutted, especially when the next ball pitched in exactly the same place and hit the stumps.

"The batsman was still laughing at something Matt Prior said as I ran into bowl, so bless him for that. He said there are two things you should never do - cut the spinner or pat a burning dog."

Swann also hit 39 from 31 balls in the penultimate warm-up fixture before England begin their Test series against South Africa at Centurion on Wednesday.