Billy Bowden
Encyclopedia
Brent Fraser "Billy" Bowden (born 11 April 1963) is an international cricket
umpire
from New Zealand
. He was a player until he began to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis
and took up umpiring. He is well known for his dramatic signalling style which includes "crooked finger of doom" out signal.
in South Africa, and was chosen to be the fourth umpire
in the final between Australia and India. Shortly after this he was duly promoted to the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires, of which he is still a member. He reprised his role as fourth umpire in the 2007 Cricket World Cup final and was involved in the wrong decision that caused the match to end in darkness. Bowden was involved in an incident at the 2006 Brisbane Ashes test while standing at the square leg fielding position, when knocked to the ground by a ball hit by Geraint Jones
. In January 2007, Bowden became the youngest umpire to officiate in 100 ODIs during the New Zealand and Sri Lanka match at Hamilton, which corresponded exactly with his first ODI in 1995. Simon Taufel
bettered that record a few days later.
, more flashy in ODIs and decidedly flamboyant in Twenty20
. His behavior has attracted him both fans and critics alike. Martin Crowe
has referred to him as Bozo the Clown, and at least one commentator has said he should remember that cricket is for the players and fans, not for the umpires. However there was the suggestion that he needs to do the signals in the way he does because of his arthritis, as he needs to keep his body fluid.
He is the first ICC Elite Panel umpire to appear in a Pepsi TV Commercial- Tedi Ungal( Bent/Crooked Finger) which was displayed during Cricket World Cup 2011
Awards
ICC Bronze Bails Award
for 100 ODIs.
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
umpire
Umpire (cricket)
In cricket, an umpire is a person who has the authority to make judgements on the cricket field, according to the Laws of Cricket...
from New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. He was a player until he began to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that may affect many tissues and organs, but principally attacks synovial joints. The process produces an inflammatory response of the synovium secondary to hyperplasia of synovial cells, excess synovial fluid, and the development...
and took up umpiring. He is well known for his dramatic signalling style which includes "crooked finger of doom" out signal.
Career
In March 1995 Bowden officiated his first One Day International between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Hamilton. In March 2000 he was appointed his first Test match as an on-field umpire, and in 2002 he was included in the Emirates Panel of International Umpires. A year later he was asked to umpire at the Cricket World CupCricket World Cup
The ICC Cricket World Cup is the premier international championship of men's One Day International cricket. The event is organised by the sport's governing body, the International Cricket Council , with preliminary qualification rounds leading up to a finals tournament which is held every four years...
in South Africa, and was chosen to be the fourth umpire
Fourth umpire
Fourth umpire sometimes referred to as the reserve umpire, is a cricket official. For all international matches a fourth umpire is required to perform duties like bringing on the new ball, carrying drinks on to the field for the umpires and observing the pitch during the lunch and tea intervals to...
in the final between Australia and India. Shortly after this he was duly promoted to the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires, of which he is still a member. He reprised his role as fourth umpire in the 2007 Cricket World Cup final and was involved in the wrong decision that caused the match to end in darkness. Bowden was involved in an incident at the 2006 Brisbane Ashes test while standing at the square leg fielding position, when knocked to the ground by a ball hit by Geraint Jones
Geraint Jones
Geraint Owen Jones MBE is an England cricketer of Welsh extraction but raised in Australia. Until August 2006 he was the first-choice wicketkeeper for England in both Test and One-day cricket, but fell behind Chris Read, Paul Nixon, Matt Prior and Tim Ambrose...
. In January 2007, Bowden became the youngest umpire to officiate in 100 ODIs during the New Zealand and Sri Lanka match at Hamilton, which corresponded exactly with his first ODI in 1995. Simon Taufel
Simon Taufel
Simon James Arthur Taufel, , is an Australian cricket umpire who is a member of the ICC Elite umpire panel...
bettered that record a few days later.
Signals
Because of his arthritis, it was too painful for Bowden to signal a batsman out in the conventional fashion, with a straight index finger raised above the head, and this led to the "crooked finger of doom". He has also put his own slant on several other signals, including a "crumb-sweeping" wave of the arm to signal four, and the "double crooked finger six-phase hop" to signal a six. His signals are sedate in TestsTest cricket
Test cricket is the longest form of the sport of cricket. Test matches are played between national representative teams with "Test status", as determined by the International Cricket Council , with four innings played between two teams of 11 players over a period of up to a maximum five days...
, more flashy in ODIs and decidedly flamboyant in Twenty20
Twenty20
Twenty20 is a form of cricket, originally introduced in England for professional inter-county competition by the England and Wales Cricket Board , in 2003. A Twenty20 game involves two teams, each has a single innings, batting for a maximum of 20 overs. Twenty20 cricket is also known as T20 cricket...
. His behavior has attracted him both fans and critics alike. Martin Crowe
Martin Crowe
Martin David Crowe is a former New Zealand cricketer. He was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1985, and was credited as one of the "best young batsmen in the world". Crowe represented New Zealand from the early 1980s until his retirement in 1996 as a right-handed batsman...
has referred to him as Bozo the Clown, and at least one commentator has said he should remember that cricket is for the players and fans, not for the umpires. However there was the suggestion that he needs to do the signals in the way he does because of his arthritis, as he needs to keep his body fluid.
He is the first ICC Elite Panel umpire to appear in a Pepsi TV Commercial- Tedi Ungal( Bent/Crooked Finger) which was displayed during Cricket World Cup 2011
International Umpiring Statistics
As of 29 July 2011:| First | Latest | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | New Zealand v Australia at Auckland Eden Park Eden Park is the biggest stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. It is used primarily for rugby union in winter and cricket in summer . The ground also occasionally hostts rugby league matches. To accommodate all three sports, the cricket pitch is removable... , Mar 2000 |
England v India at Lords Lord's Cricket Ground Lord's Cricket Ground is a cricket venue in St John's Wood, London. Named after its founder, Thomas Lord, it is owned by Marylebone Cricket Club and is the home of Middlesex County Cricket Club, the England and Wales Cricket Board , the European Cricket Council and, until August 2005, the... , July 2011 |
69 |
| ODIs | New Zealand v Sri Lanka at Hamilton Seddon Park Seddon Park is a cricket ground in Hamilton, 4th largest city in New Zealand and is renowned for its "village green" setting, affording a picnic atmosphere for spectators. It is the 4th largest proper Cricket Ground in New Zealand. The Stadium was named after the former New Zealand Prime Minister... , Mar 1995 |
England v Sri Lanka at Manchester Old Trafford Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:... , Jul 2011 |
160 |
| T20Is | New Zealand v Australia at Auckland Eden Park Eden Park is the biggest stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. It is used primarily for rugby union in winter and cricket in summer . The ground also occasionally hostts rugby league matches. To accommodate all three sports, the cricket pitch is removable... , Feb 2005 |
New Zealand v Pakistan at Auckland Eden Park Eden Park is the biggest stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. It is used primarily for rugby union in winter and cricket in summer . The ground also occasionally hostts rugby league matches. To accommodate all three sports, the cricket pitch is removable... , Dec 2010 |
19 |
Awards
ICC Bronze Bails Award
Bronze Bails Award
The Bronze Bails Award in the sport of Cricket, is award given by the International Cricket Council to umpires who have officiated in 100 One Day Internationals.-Recipients:Bronze Bails awardees include:* Steve Bucknor...
for 100 ODIs.
External links
- Billy Bowden at Cricinfo.
- http://beigebrigade.co.nz/loop/byc/ - Podcast site of the Beige BrigadeBeige BrigadeThe Beige Brigade is a group of colourful and passionate New Zealand sport fans who identify themselves by wearing beige colours. A version of this uniform was worn by the New Zealand limited overs cricket team during the 1980s .The Beige Brigade began in 1999...