DAVID LLOYD will not be at Lord's when his native Lancashire take on Northants in tomorrow's Benson and Hedges Cup final.

Lloyd was banned from joining the BBC commentary team along with umpire Dickie Bird because of his contract as England coach with the Test and County Cricket Board.

And he will resist the temptation to join Lancashire as they aim to repeat last year's success against Kent, when he was the coach.

"I'm going to stay clear of Lord's," said Lloyd today. "I will be watching on the TV at home.

"My contract means I can't commentate on the match on radio, I don't really want to sit in the stands and there is no way I should be in the dressing room.

"This is Lancashire's big day, particularly for John Stanworth, and I don't want to get in the way. I think John is doing a good job and I hope he enjoys the final." Stanworth was at Lord's last year as Lancashire's Cricket Development Officer, but said: "Although I was in the dressing room when we won you don't feel part of it in the same way when you're not directly involved.

"That win belonged to the players and David Lloyd. It will be different if we win this time. I will feel partly responsible, although the players will still deserve most of the credit."

Lancashire are set to name the same team which beat Northants in the NatWest Trophy at Old Trafford on Wednesday, although Mike Watkinson is expected to resume his role as pinch-hitting opener with Mike Atherton. Northants may recall all-rounder Tim Walton, left out on Wednesday, but man of the match in the B&H victory over Warwickshire in the semi-final.

See also: Benson and Hedges Cup final preview

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