Dave Podmore knows cricket inside out and isn't afraid to say his piece. A doughty county crusader who has missed several England call-ups through celebration-related injury niggles, "Pod" is also a plain-speaking commentator whose "Guardian" columns have covered subjects as diverse as match-fixing and umpiring scandals, England's Test performance and 2001's whitewash of the Aussies (at the post-match fancy dress night, that is, largely due to Marcus Trescothick's unbeaten Scary Spice). Now "The Word of Pod" preserves the cream of Pod's salty wisdom in handy book form for cricketers, their fans and their fiancees everywhere. And there's even some exclusive advice for those ladies from the lovely Mrs Podmore.

Illustrated by: Nick Newman