Date-stamped : 10 Jul96 - 02:16 10 July 1996 Radio ban slapped on umpire Bird and coach Lloyd LONDON, Tuesday --- Umpire Dickie Bird and England coach Da- vid Lloyd have not been allowed to comment on BBC radio for Saturday`s Benson and Hedges Cup final between Lancashire and Northamptonshire. The Test and County Cricket Board were not pleased that the pair would be making comments on players they would be coming into contract in future dealings. Bird retired from Test umpiring amid huge emotion at Lord`s lit- tle more than two weeks ago but continues as an official on the country circuit. He said: ``I should have realised I would not be able to do it. Maybe I will when I retire next year.`` However, the decision was criticised as petty by BBC Radio crick- et commentator Jonathan Agnew, who said: ``Dickie Bird has never said anything bad about anyone in his life and he`s certainly not going to start now.`` TCCB spokesman Richard Little said of Bird: ``It`s unfair to put him in a position where he has to criticise one of the player`s he`s umpiring. Dickie`s not that bothered about it.`` He added: ``Lloyd is contracted to us and certainly we wouldn`t want the England coach doing it - a selector. He`s in a difficult position.`` Source :: Daily News (http://www.lanka.net) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)