The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly re-inducted New Zealand umpire Billy Bowden in the new Elite Panel of ICC Umpires for the 2014/15 season, following the annual review and selection process.
Bowden has replaced Tony Hill, who had stepped down from the elite panel earlier this year to take up the role as New Zealand Cricket (NZC) Umpire Coach.
According to Sport24, the elite panel includes Bowden, Aleem Dar, Kumar Dharmasena, Steve Davis, Marais Erasmus, Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Bruce Oxenford, Paul Reiffel and Rod Tucker.
The report mentioned that Bowden previously served on the elite panel from 2003-2013 and has so far umpired in 76 Tests, 189 ODIs and 21 T20Is.
The panel was selected by the ICC Umpires Selection Panel consisting of chairperson Geoff Allardice, who is also the board's General Manager - Cricket, ICC Chief Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle, former England player and coach and umpire David Lloyd, and Srinivas Venkataraghavan, the former India captain and international umpire.
