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Bird gets the finger

Legendary cricket umpire Harold 'Dickie' Bird injured his right index finger -- the trademark of authority on the cricket pitch -- signing copies of his self-titled autobiography, it was revealed in London.

Bird, who has become one of the game's celebrities after presiding in cricket games throughout the world, said he was in so much pain he could hardly hold a pen, as sales of the book reached record proportions.

"I'm in agony, I've never known anything like it," said Bird. "They say secretaries who type a lot get this injury, but I tell you, I'm going to carry on, but it is still the most painful thing ever."

The Yorkshireman, who retired from umpiring in September, said he had never refused a signature but he was struggling to cope at the moment, with a swollen, strained finger.

The book has become the best selling cricket autobiography of all time, with hardback sales already touching 355,000.