Swann: It was a call of nature

London - England spin bowler Graeme Swann on Tuesday confessed that some of his team-mates may have urinated on The Oval pitch during late night celebrations toasting their Ashes victory.

Australian journalists earlier reported seeing three England players; swing-bowler James Anderson, batsman Kevin Pietersen and fast bowler Stuart Broad relieving themselves on the pitch as the players held a private midnight party on the famous turf.

"We did go out to the middle of the pitch, all the lads, drinking beers, singing a few songs and enjoying each other's company," Swann told the Sun newspaper.

"I think the call of nature might have come once or twice, but it was nothing untoward.

"It was midnight, a private celebration in the middle of the pitch and the ground was dark," added the ace-spinner.

The England and Wales Cricket Board said it would investigate the reports.

Fellow spinner Monty Panesar was recently fined by police after being caught urinating on bouncers following a nightclub row.

England were earlier denied a famous win when bad light curtailed their improbable run chase, but consoled themselves by lifting the famous urn following a 3-0 series victory.