Billy Bowden axed from NZC umpiring panel as Brown, Haig rise up ranks



The dreaded crooked finger may have been raised for the final time in international cricket.

Brent 'Billy' Bowden, New Zealand's best-known and most highly-rated umpire, has been axed from New Zealand Cricket's international panel after standing in 84 tests and 200 one-day internationals. The last of those was the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy ODI in Wellington in February, which stretched the Aucklander's career to 21 years at the top, having stood in his first international in 1995 against Sri Lanka in Hamilton.

The 53-year-old wasn't the only casualty of the NZC cleanout, which is understood to have been prompted by the International Cricket Council expressing concern over the standard of New Zealand umpiring at the top level. The notable exception was Chris Gaffaney who kept his place on the ICC's elite panel.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/81 ... e-up-ranks

Yes, sad day alright and announced by the new match officials' manager, Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri,...some unknown former rugby referee; say the fuck what?

Thanks Billy, you will be missed mate.