Swann urges England to be strong against SA after Ireland loss

Swann urges England to be strong against SA today after loss to Ireland

England off-spinner Graeme Swann has urged his teammates to hold their nerve against South Africa today. This is England's first game after their loss to minnows Ireland in Bangalore on Wednesday.

Graeme Swann operates a bowling machine in Chennai on Friday. right: Graeme Smith PICS/AFP

"If we start panicking and thinking we're the disgrace that half the people on Twitter thought we were on Wednesday night, there's no point in us playing," he said.

"But to win three-quarters of the game (against Ireland) and throw it away so catastrophically... that's the sort of thing that can ruin momentum."

Meanwhile, South African captain Graeme Smith said he expected to face a fired-up England following their humiliation by Ireland.

Andrew Strauss' team were victims of one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history when Ireland, inspired by Kevin O'Brien's record-breaking 50-ball century, chased down a 328-run winning target in Bangalore on Wednesday.

It was a victory that threw the race for quarter-final places from Group B wide open. England have a win, one defeat, as well as their memorable tie against India from their three matches while South Africa have two wins in two games after comfortable victories over West Indies and the Netherlands.

However, England have a good recent record against the Proteas, winning seven out of their past eight completed one-day internationals against South Africa. "I think England-South Africa is always a big game," Smith told reporters at the Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday.

"It's very competitive and it's a game you look forward to."

Proud team
As for England's response after the Ireland loss, Smith said: "They are a very proud team and have had some good ups over the last few years. They have the ability to play really well tomorrow and as a team we know that. We expect them to bounce back.u00a0 The Ireland result will have hit them. It was terrific for the World Cup to watch them (Ireland) get the victory. Tomorrow will be a very different game." ufffd