London: Harold ‘Dickie’ Bird stopped umpiring many years ago (after 66 Tests and 70 ODIs), but remains as big a draw as any of the present-day cricketers.

On Saturday morning, for example, the legendary Yorkshireman was mobbed for autographs (photographs too) as he stood near the nets’ area at Lord’s.

“I’d thought people had forgotten me... I’m 70, but look at this,” Bird told The Telegraph as somebody shouted ‘Dickie, you’ll remain a superstar’.

Not one to favour high usage of technology, Bird emphasised he was “disappointed” that the “authority” was being taken away from the on-field umpires.

“In my view, the TV should only be used to confirm run-outs... Nothing more... Leave the rest of the decisions to the men in the middle...”

Commenting on Friday’s fiasco featuring Simon Taufel, Bird said: “I couldn’t make out what happened, but an umpire is within his rights to reverse his decision... I don’t know the sequence of events, though...”

Asked whether the quality of umpiring had improved in recent years, he replied: “Very difficult to say... There’s so much use of technology...”

The dismay showed on Bird’s face.