Umpire Bowden is one of the game's characters

The extrovert Billy Bowden of New Zealand, plus Australian duo Darrell Hair and Simon Taufel, have been added to the elite group.

Hair is easily the most experienced of the trio, having stood in 44 Tests, compared to Bowden's three and Taufel's two.

Bowden is known for his unorthodox signalling methods, and has attracted something of a cult following.

He was part of the off-field umpiring team for the final between Australia and India.

ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said: "There was always the provision to extend the number of umpires on the panel.

NEW ELITE UMPIRES S Bucknor (WI) A de Silva (Sri) D Harper (Aus) R Koertzen (SA) D Orchard (SA) D Shepherd (Eng) R Tiffin (Zim) B Bowden (NZ) D Hair (Aus) S Taufel (Aus)

"Having reviewed the first 12 months' workload and associated traveling commitments, we have decided to appoint three new officials.

"The ICC has been monitoring the performance of these three umpires on a regular basis, particularly during the World Cup, where each of them performed with distinction.

"Darrell Hair is a highly experienced umpire who was close to selection on the original Emirates Elite panel, while Billy Bowden and Simon Taufel at 40 and 32 respectively, represent the next generation of international umpires."

The elite panel of eight umpires and five match referees was established a year ago, and they officiate in all Test matches around the world.

It was envisaged that, on average, they would each stand in 12 Test matches and 15 one-day internationals per year, a potential on-field workload of 75 days.

But the demands of the job and the hectic fixture schedule has persuaded the ICC that extra umpires are required.