There’s little in sport as distasteful, as sly and scurrilous sledging, yet little as smile-inducing as a bit of witty in-game trash-talking either.

SUNDAY, April 25, 2004, was a bright day, full of promise, and as the red hordes streamed ... hang on ... just give me a second.

GLENN MCGRATH was enjoying himself. Australia were totally in control of their match with Zimbabwe and the world’s best fast bowler was relishing his customary task of mopping up the tail — the weakest of the remaining batsmen — these were easy wickets for McGrath.