Time for Vaughan to end row with Lloyd

The reputations of both Michael Vaughan and Clive Lloyd are being tarnished by probably the silliest cricket row of the winter.

After winning a gripping Test series 2-1, England's captain has taken an early lead against South Africa in the best-of-seven limited-overs internationals.

But, at best, Vaughan is only drawing with Lloyd and would be well advised to shake hands on that result right now, rather than let their head-to-head confrontation drift into extra time and, perhaps, more penalties.

Match referee Lloyd has laid himself open to a charge of bringing the game into disrepute by describing Vaughan's attitude as "dismissive and rude" and suggesting it contributed to his decision to impose a maximum fine following the Johannesburg Test spat of a fortnight ago.

Lloyd's judgment looked harsh because Vaughan's criticism of umpires Steve Bucknor and Aleem Dar was merely that they had been "inconsistent" in their interpretation of bad light during the Fourth Test. Now, the once all-conquering West Indies skipper has intimated that because England's leader did not say 'yes sir, no sir, very sorry sir' during a disciplinary hearing he upped the punishment.

Not that Vaughan is blameless, of course. Absurd though it may seem, he did breach the code of conduct with his comments and, surely, will have to pay the fine - about £5,500 - sooner or later.

But, by allowing Professional Cricketers' Association chief executive Richard Bevan to fight his case before any money is handed over, he could leave himself vulnerable to an even tougher penalty from the International Cricket Council.

It may be unfair that there is no right of appeal against a verdict imposed for the relatively low level of 'offence' committed by Vaughan, but every player, and their unions, have always known that and should have fought to change the system before now.

So far the ICC have kept their powder dry, although spokesman Brendan McClements has reacted to Lloyd's remarks.

"On issues between players and match referees our preference is for them to be carried out away from the spotlight," he said. "I wouldn't speculate on whether Clive has broken the code of conduct but that is something we will look into."

The next chapter in this sorry saga will unfold in Melbourne at the end of the week during a scheduled meeting of the member countries' chief executives.

Vaughan is refusing to comment on the case, saying Bevan and the PCA are handling it for him, while Lloyd has gone quiet - apparently under instruction from the ICC.

Far from over, England's one-day series has only just begun. But already the immediate future looks bleak for Vikram Solanki and bright for Ian Bell.

Opener Solanki was dropped yesterday, despite scoring a century in his last innings (in Zimbabwe before Christmas) because Vaughan is determined to give keeper Geraint Jones an extended run at the top of the order.

England were also desperate to play Bell and, although he didn't get to the crease and Jones scored only eight in an ultimately comfortable if rain-hit victory, the side has taken shape without Solanki.