[flexcoders] Initial order column for DataGrid - Flex2

[kehlpeter]

Hi,

is there any way to set a default/initial order column for a DataGrid
in Flex2?

None of the following compiles in Flex 2:
grid.sortItemsBy( 'columnName', 'asc');
grid.sortIndex= 1;
grid.sortDirection= 'ASC';
grid.placeSortArrow();

I can't see any method/property to do this directly. I know how to
create a DataGridEvent with type being DataGridEvent.HEADER_RELEASE,
but don't know how to 'trigger' or dispatch it. I've tried
dispatchEvent( event ) in both application.creationComplete and
grid.initialize.

Thank you for any ideas.