Billy Bowden in line for Ashes cameo

Shane Warne of Australia and umpire Billy Bowden reverse roles during day two of the First Test between Australia and Pakistan played at the WACA on December 17, 2004 in Perth.

New Zealand umpire Billy Bowden might be recalled for the remaining two matches of the Ashes series between England and Australia to take the pressure off the current umpires who have been marred by controversies in the recent series.

According to The Guardian, Bowden who was dumped from the International Cricket Council`s (ICC) elite panel as recently as June, is in line for a come back.

He will join the likes of Kumar Dharmasena, Aleem Dar, Tony Hill, and Marais Erasmus, the only four members who are not from England or Australia.

The report also says that England would prefer Bowden for the Ashes rather than allowing their own or Australian umpires to officiate as they believe that the introduction of neutral umpires has been a major step forward for cricket over the past decade.

England and Australia will offer the ICC full support in promoting officials from other countries, even if that involves allowing umpires from other countries to stand in their domestic first-class fixtures – the County Championship or the Sheffield Shield respectively.