Ashes 2013-14: Graeme Swann sorry for 'crass' comments

England's Graeme Swann has apologised for "crass" comments made on Facebook where he compared England's Ashes defeat by Australia in Perth to rape.

The spin bowler, 34, had an online conversation with his brother where he said he would rather be at a concert.

England lost the third Test and the best-of-five Ashes series in Perth.

Swann said on Twitter: "Sorry to anyone who was offended by my comments in the papers today. Crass and thoughtless of me in the extreme."

Swann's brother's Facebook profile is not private, and therefore is openly accessible.

The apology followed heavy criticism from Yvonne Traynor, chief executive of the charity Rape Crisis.

"We are appalled that Graeme Swann equates a cricket match with the devastatingly serious crime of rape," she said.

"It is the duty of a people in the public eye to make sure their own distorted views are kept to themselves and not shared with the general public.

"These comments lack compassion and intelligence, and he should apologise to anyone who has suffered from this heinous crime."