We need a good umpire out there not Bozo the Clown

Martin Crowe

Bowden's antics have been questioned by commentators

An easy target because of his antics, Bowden's umpiring has also come into question.

Commentators ask how he is able to judge on lbw decision by standing side-on to the batsman, with his head angled over the stumps.

And he came in for criticism for taking the players off the field for bad light at the end of the third day for encroaching shadows cast from the main stand at the Jade Stadium.

Closer inspection of the laws (the television commentators who criticised him had to look them up) revealed that shadows from permanent structures should be ignored.

But no one seemed to comment on how subdued Bowden had been during the Test. None of the sixes and fours signalled - and there were plenty of them - was done with his customary aplomb.

It was only his third Test, despite first officiating in a one-day international in 1994/95, and clearly Bowden was on his best behaviour.

Larrikin

Consider the words of one of Australia's women cricketers during a recent series against New Zealand.

"We have been fortunate (or unfortunate depending on who you speak to) enough to have Billy Bowden umpiring our last two games," she said.

"The larrikin of umpiring, Billy has kept us amused with his crazy antics of rubbing his leg when there is a leg-bye, showing us some fancy footwork to some of his favourite tunes being played, and cracking a few jokes at our expense.

"I have however been studying his style of umpiring, and have decided most of his signals somehow represent domestic chores.

"A four is very similar to wiping the breakfast crumbs off the table in the morning.

"A six is unbelievably close to hanging out the washing especially if the dog is biting your heels at the same time and a bye (which I have fortunately only witnessed once), cleaning the windows.

"I'm thinking he has a pretty tidy house."

Criticise Bowden if you like, but don't forget one thing - he's having more fun than you.