London: Dickie Bird is irked by plans of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to allow county players to refer decisions to the TV umpire in this season’s 50-over Friends Provident Trophy.

“The umpire that I was brought up to be is finished. Their authority and integrity is being taken away and it’s a very sad day for cricket,” he was quoted as saying in a British tabloid.

“If players are allowed to challenge an umpire’s decision, all you have left is a man who counts six balls in an over and a glorified hat stand.

“I was not totally opposed to the introduction of technology to help with line decisions but I was worried it would be the thin end of the wedge,” he said. (PTI)