Cricket legend Clive Lloyd jetted into Bermuda last night to assume the role of the first ever overseas match referee for Cup Match.

After much to-ing and fro-ing between the clubs and Bermuda Cricket Board in the last few months, it was finally agreed that something drastic needed to be done to avoid a repeat of last year?s ugly scenes. And West Indian Lloyd, one of the ICC?s top officials, was the man appointed to take charge of the match and all disciplinary matters that might arise over the two-day classic.

Although umpires have not yet been selected ? an announcement is expected from the clubs later today ? Lloyd is likely to meet with whoever is selected, as well as both captains and managers, either today or tomorrow ahead of Thursday?s eagerly-anticipated clash at Somerset Cricket Club.

The decision to bring in Lloyd ? who has overseen 53 Tests and 130 ODIs ? has caused plenty of controversy, with the two clubs normally in charge of appointing officials and nearly all other matters relating to Cup Match while the Bermuda Cricket Umpires? Association admitted last week they didn?t even know a referee was being appointed from overseas until they read about it in

?We are pleased with the feedback from last year in the sense that everyone involved agreed that we didn?t want to see a repeat of what took place last year,? said BCB chief executive Neil Speight yesterday, shortly after issuing a press statement confirming Lloyd was coming in.

?To that end, we are absolutely delighted that we have managed to secure the services of someone of Clive?s calibre for this game.

?We are very lucky to get someone so senior within the cricketing establishment, particularly with the very restrictive itinerary he has.

?Cup Match plays an enormous role in our cricket programme and in the culture, history and tradition of this Island and we all want to see the game played in the right spirit.

?We are confident we will not see a repeat of what took place last year and are sure Clive Lloyd will be overseeing a fantastic game of cricket.?

As well as meeting with the key figures involved in the game in advance, Lloyd ? whose undisclosed fee and expenses are being picked up by the Board ? will act as referee for the game and then be required to submit a report afterwards.

It is understood that Lloyd?s responsibility will be to ensure the conduct of the players and officials adheres to the ICC?s Code but he is not expected to report on the fans ? therefore preserving the long-held tradition of spectators running on the pitch to stuff cash into the pockets of the leading players.

It is expected that if any misconduct takes place during the match, Lloyd will have the power to talk to the officials, players or coaches while play is ongoing, although it is not clear if he is able to bar a player from continuing to participate in the event of a major breach of the disciplinary code.

Lloyd?s impartial report in the aftermath of the game is expected to carry significant weight and ? in the event of any serious problems ? could lead to the banning of players from national team duty.

It?s understood Lloyd was approached about the role some weeks ago with BCB president Reggie Pearman speaking to him again during the Stanford 20-20 tournament late last month where Lloyd, a cousin of Lance Gibbs who was Bermuda?s ?Legend? representative for the tournament, was working with the Anguilla side.

If ever there was a right man to be asked to undertake the difficult job of referee in the turbulent world of Cup Match then it is Lloyd, a former West Indies skipper who has overseen matches across the world and is one of the most respected officials in world cricket.

Lloyd has also visited the Island a number of times before in various roles and it is understood that the BCB are hoping, if there?s time, he will conduct some form of rules seminar for interested clubs and players before he flies out on either Saturday or Sunday.

Neither of the Cup Match clubs were prepared to comment on Lloyd?s appointment yesterday, with St. George?s president Neal Paynter simply stating: ?I have no comment to make about Cup Match at this time, thank you for your call.?