Umpires Bowden, Hair and Taufel added to ICC Emirates Elite Panel

The ICC today announced the extension of its Emirates Elite Panel of umpires, with the addition of three new officials: Billy Bowden of New Zealand, Darrell Hair from Australia and Simon Taufel, also from Australia.

ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said that experience gained from the first 12 months of the Emirates Elite Panel had been taken into account in making the new appointments: "In its first year of operation, the eight members of the Panel have officiated in 37 Test matches, 133 One Day Internationals including the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka and the ICC Cricket World Cup.

"There was always the provision to extend the number of umpires on the Panel and 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 this World Cup, where each of them has 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," said Mr Speed.

The appointments were recommended by ICC management and approved by Malcolm Speed and Sunil Gavaskar, Chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee-Playing.

Short Biographies

Brent `Billy' Bowden, New Zealand
Dob: 11 April 1963
First class debut: 1992/93
Tests: 3 Debut: NZ v Australia, 1999/00
ODIs: 32 Debut: NZ v Sri Lanka, 1994/95

Darrell Hair, Australia
Dob: 30 September 1952
First class debut: 1988/89
Tests: 44 Debut: Australia v India, 1991/92
ODIs: 85 Debut: India v West Indies, 1991/92

Simon Taufel, Australia
Dob: 21 January 1971
First class debut: 1994/95
Tests: 2 Debut: Australia v West Indies, 2000/01
ODIs: 44 Debut: Australia v Sri Lanka, 1998/99

The other eight members of the Emirates Elite panel are: