Bowden joins 50-Test club of umpires

Dubai, Nov 6 (UNI) Billy Bowden today became the 10th umpire in the history of the game to join the 50 Test club after officiating in the ongoing fourth and final Test between India and Australia in Nagpur.

Bowden has now become the sixth member of the current Emirates Elite Panel to have officiated in 50 or more Tests.

ICC match referee Chris Broad will honour the Kiwi on his landmark achievement by making a presentation on behalf of the game's governing body.

''I would like to congratulate Billy on his achievement. I know that Billy takes great pride in what he does and so I am delighted that he has reached this important milestone,'' said ICC Umpires' and Referees' Manager Vince van der Bijl in a statement.

''Billy has been one of the most consistent and well-respected officials of recent years and this achievement is an indication of the level of commitment he has shown to his umpiring and to the game of cricket in general.

''When he first emerged on the international scene, Billy adopted a very fresh and at times flamboyant style. I am glad that he has always managed to maintain his own unique character but he also honed his approach to umpiring in a mature way,'' he added.

Bowden, who made his Test debut eight years back in a match between New Zealand and Australia at Auckland, has officiated in 127 One-Day Internationals and five Twenty20 Internationals.

Bowden also has the honour of officiating in two World Cup - 2003 and 2007.

Other members of the 50-Test club include Steve Bucknor (124 Tests), Rudi Koertzen (94), David Shepherd (92), Darrell Hair (78), Daryl Harper (75), Srinivas Venkataraghavan (73), Dickie Bird (66), Simon Taufel (53) and Aleem Dar (52).

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