Umpiring as an Art Form

BBC feature on NZ cricket umpire, Billy Bowden, tracks his unlikely rise to the top of the white-coated ranks. Bowden fell into umpiring after rheumatoid arthritis halted his own career as a player. He has since made a name for himself as an on-field eccentric, who’s distinctive and flamboyant gestures have earned him more fans than detractors. Bowden – described by ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed as representing “the next generation” of umpires – is the first NZer to be admitted to umpiring’s elite panel.