Even when not on air commentators need to be careful about what they say. The BBC has been forced to apologise after a foul-mouthed outburst from Geoff Boycott was heard by listeners to Test Match Special during the fourth one-day international at Port Elizabeth.

Boycott was picked up shouting “f****** t****r'' at about the time England took their sixth wicket while bowling out South Africa for 119. It’s unclear whether it was a comment on the batting, bowler or nothing related to the match.

A Radio 5 Live spokesman said: “An off-air comment made by Geoffrey Boycott In a live broadcast was heard by some listeners which we apologised for as soon As we realised it had been audible.''