McGrath v Snow

© Getty Images

One hunted Australian batsman with a relentless savagery before mellowing into a published poet and the director of his own travel company. The other graduated from hunting wild pigs in the Australian outback to chasing down batting bunnies, particularly of the English variety.

John Snow and Glenn McGrath have much in common - rhythm, accuracy, pace and the possession of a vicious bouncer. But whereas McGrath has been known to back up his deeds with words, usually piquantly selected, Snow needed no recourse to sledging during his time at the top - a single glare would more than suffice.

Both men were central to two of the most memorable Ashes series of their era. In 1970-71, Snow thrived on the hostile atmosphere Down Under to extract 31 wickets, as Ray Illingworth's side reclaimed the Ashes for the first time in 12 years. And in 1997, McGrath helped Australia bounce back from a crushing defeat in the first Test, taking 36 wickets including a remarkable 8 for 38 at the home of cricket, Lord's.