Gershon Portnoi has been busy of late.

The former deputy editor of TalkSport's online magazine has been appointed deputy editor of ShortList, the free lifestyle magazine for men. He has also published a new cricket book, just in time for the Ashes series, which starts later this month: Why are you so fat? The TalkSport book of cricket sledging.

Sledging is the term used in cricket to describe the practice whereby players seek to gain an advantage by insulting or verbally intimidating the opposing batsman.

One of the most famous instances - which features in the book - is when Australia's Glenn McGrath was bowling to the Zimbabwe number 11 Eddo Brandes. During an over, McGrath, frustrated that Brandes was still at the crease, asked: "Why are you so fat?" Brandes replied: "Because every time I make love to your wife, she gives me a biscuit."

Mr Portnoi's collection of more than 100 anecdotes includes contributions from Darren Gough and Ronnie Irani, plus other international cricket stars.

Mr Portnoi, 36, tells People: "One of my favourite moments when writing the book was tracking down Eddo Brandes to ask him some questions. He now runs a farm in Australia. It was great speaking to players to find out the stories behind the incidents as you are never really sure what was really said. It was a lot of fun to work on."