LONDON, Jan 30: Match referee Clive Lloyd's public statements that he thought about banning England captain Michael Vaughan for the fifth Test against South Africa might get him into trouble.

Lloyd fined Vaughan, who led his side to a 2-1 victory in the series, 5,500 pounds (7,960 euros) for publicly criticising the umpires during the fourth Test but thought about banning him altogether for what he termed a "dismissive and rude" attitude during the disciplinary hearing.

"I would have given him a lesser fine were it not for that but I stopped short of banning him," Lloyd told the Cape Argus. "I could have banned him for the fifth Test but imagine what that would have done if the England captain couldn't lead his team in a match to win the series and accept the trophy."

However, the Professional Cricketers' Association issued a statement criticising Lloyd's decision to go public with details from the hearing. It said: "Putting details into the media is inappropriate and unacceptable... and should lead to an immediate review of Clive Lloyd's position and future as a match referee." -AFP