Set for 200, Billy Bowden
This weekend, legendary umpire Billy Bowden will become the
first umpire from New Zealand to officiate 200 first-class matches.
Thirty years after making his first-class umpiring debut in the Shell Trophy game between the two teams at Eden Park in 1993, the 85-Test umpire will hit the milestone during
Auckland's Plunket Shield match against the Northern Districts starting at Kennard's
Hire Community Oval on Saturday.
Bowden, who gained notoriety for his peculiar umpiring signals, has become into one of the most recognizable and well-respected officials in cricket worldwide.
He officiated his first international match in 1995 at Seddon Park during an ODI between Sri
Lanka and New Zealand. He then officiated his first Test match between the
Black Caps and Australia at Eden Park in 2000.
He was a match official for two T20 World Cups, four ODI World Cups, and the renowned 2005
Ashes series in England, which was hailed as the finest Ashes series ever.
Bowden has maintained his status as a stalwart in New Zealand's local championships, in
addition to his international achievements. He has participated in 377 List-A
matches and 209 T20s.
Being a part of 200 elite games is truly unique, he remarked.
The umpire, who was born in Auckland, expressed his enormous pride at having achieved this milestone
and spent the previous 30 years representing cricket in New Zealand.
When I first started out, all I wanted was to push myself, strive to be the greatest umpire
every day, and have fun along the way.
"While there have been many memorable moments, the 2005 Ashes series truly sticks out.
However, being able to cover the New Zealand domestic finals, the 50-over finals, and the Super
Smash and support New Zealand cricket is truly a privilege.
In his 32-year stint as an umpire, Bowden acknowledged that much has changed in the sport.
"However, the obstacles stay the same; it's still a bat and ball game where you take each
ball one at a time and play it as you see fit.
"Over time, technology has advanced rapidly and presented new challenges for umpiring.
However, the sport's beauty lies in its ability to rise to the occasion, grow
every day, and strive for improvement rather than give up."
Bowden's continued dedication to umpiring has been commended by Richard Brewer, Head of Cricket
Operations for New Zealand Cricket.
Billy is one of the most well-known and respected umpires in the game, though, because of his
exceptional decision-making.
"As is the case with athletes, nobody should undervalue the sacrifice required to reach
and maintain the highest level."NZC would like to recognize Billy's
unwavering dedication to umpiring despite the demands of his profession, which
include extended times spent away from home, close supervision, and frequently
only being discussed when something goes wrong.
At Auckland's Kennard's Hire Community Oval, Bowden will begin its 200th first-class
appointment at 10:30 a.m. Live coverage will be available on NZC's YouTube
channel, with live scoring also available at nzc.nz and the NZC app.