New Zealand's most recognisable cricket umpire, Brent 'Billy' Bowden has been dumped from New Zealand Cricket's panel of international umpires.
Bowden has been demoted to the NZC national panel, along with Derek Walker and Phil Jones in a shakeup which has resulted in former first-class players Shaun Haig and Chris Brown being promoted to the international panel along with Wayne Knights.
Bowden, with his eccentric quirks, including raising a bent finger to give batsmen out, has stood in 84 tests, 200 ODIs and 24 T20 internationals, starting in 1995.
He was cut from the elite panel in 2013, reinstated a year later but axed once more last year.
The demotion will restrict Aucklander Bowden to officiating in domestic cricket and women's internationals.
