A former international player, Billy Bowden suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and this has added much theatre to his match-governing style.

While he was not a key player at international level, his influence and approach to the game has led him to become one of the most requested umpires on the ICC elite panel.

In 1995, Bowden was appointed to oversee his first ODI between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Hamilton. While in the early stages of his career he was a serious and direct official, the idiosyncrasies began to become apparent to all of his fans. He became a regular sight on the ODI circuit, and was the chief umpire for many of New Zealand’s premier domestic games.

'He [Bowden] assumed his flamboyant style as he cannot fully extend his index finger, so he cannot give players out in conventional fashion'


In March 2000, he was appointed to his first match as an on-field umpire. Some observers were not impressed with his antics, claiming that with the attention he drew to himself, he put greater pressure on his ability to make decisions – and worst, drew attention away from the game itself.

In 2002, he was appointed to the Emirates Panel of International Umpires, which led to him being selected to officiate in the World Cup in South Africa, including being named as the fourth official for the Final between Australia and India. It was this that led to him being named as a member of the Elite Panel of ICC umpires. In theory, this is the highest honour that can be given to a man in charge of a cricket match.

In January 2007, Bowden became the youngest umpire to have officiated in a century of ODIs - and it was in Hamilton, where he had initially begun. His most recent Test series was that between West Indies and Sri Lanka.