A verdict on Billy Bowden - Internet forums have their say...

Billy Bowden

So what if Bowden took the ball anyway. Geraint Jones' grandchildren will only end up flogging it on eBay like they always do.

I read today that Bowden tried to pocket the match ball from the second test. Is this guy for real? His performance as an umpire was one of the worst I have seen in my life and he thinks he can deny the English players their symbolic prize.

Umpires are a necessary evil. Do your jobs, umpires. Get your pay and stay out of the rest of it.

Billy Bowden umpired brilliantly ... He made a lot of tough calls and the replays showed him to be spot-on. Credit where it's due. Even the best umpires have their bad days occasionally.

Who do you think is the best (and worst!) umpire? Rudi Koertzen, Aleem Dar, Simon Taufel and Billy Bowden are really good. I personally think Billy Bowden is the best and the funniest.

I hate Billy Bowden. He acts like a retard.

Billy Bowden should never umpire another test after his incompetent performance in this (Edgbaston) match.

Great match but umpiring (Billy Bowden) third-rate.

The Poms could win this - Billy Bowden is umpiring.

And the Australian's cricket writer, Matt Price: Umpire Billy Bowden is a pain in the neck. I've never been the slightest bit enchanted by the New Zealand umpire's contrived antics, leaping about and waving his arms like some kind of unco-ordinated, computer-generated tai chi exponent. This compelling Ashes series doesn't require a white-coated nincompoop competing for attention. Billy would be much better advised focusing more on umpiring and less on circus tricks.