DICKIE Bird was at the County Ground this week watching his beloved Yorkshire - but he has thrown his support behind Somerset in the County Championship title race.

The legendary former player and umpire, now 86, travelled down with the Yorkshire team on Monday and was pleased to be back at one of his favourite venues.

“I always love coming down here,” he said.

“It’s a lovely place to watch cricket, the people are so friendly and I always get a warm welcome.

“The ground has changed a lot since I was playing and umpiring here but it has kept its character.

“I really hope Somerset do it this year as they have never done it before and have come close so many times.

“It would mean so much to a lot of people.”

Bird had particularly high praise for Lewis Gregory, who he believes should have had full international honours, and named Viv Richards as the best Somerset player he has seen during his time in the game.

“You’ve had some characters down here,” he said.

“Viv was the best of them and Joel Garner is a lovely man.”