Welcome to the Unofficial Guide to Umpiring

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We had chance to interview Brent "Billy" Bowden through a link we have in NZ (Soulpurpose Magazine) and this is what he had to say.

How's it feel to be ranked amongst the top echelon of international umpires, by Australians of all people?

Well, it's nice, it gives you a good feeling and faith in your own ability. When the Australians say that [they are the world champions and have been for a few years], they don't say that lightly. I don't think you need to be good looking, or eat the right food or drink, for them to rate you, so it's a compliment I'll take on board. But my feet are still on the ground – I know it could change quite quickly in one game.

Billy, what's your day job?
I've got a sports business called ‘Howzat?' selling sports goods to schools. I've enjoyed it, but it's getting harder. I firmly believe in service and quality, but I find it difficult to have hands on with such a hectic summer of cricket around New Zealand.

Tell us about your own playing career...
I've played since I was knee high to a grasshopper, going through all the age group teams up to the Auckland A-squad. I suffered a virus which turned into rheumatoid arthritis when I was about 21. I played on for a few years but it got too painful, and I couldn't give it 100%. I love to enjoy whatever I do, and I wasn't enjoying this. It was too difficult and I wasn't giving it my best, and knew I couldn't.

One game playing at Takapuna, I had a couple of good shouts for LBW, but the umpire (and my mentor) Graeme Redaway thought otherwise. A few years later he told me they where probably out, but “If I gave it out,” he said, “you might have played on for a few more years.” I think Graeme, being a cheat in a way, was the one that got me into it. The next day, the New Zealand Herald had an advertisement calling for new umpires - it felt like it was speaking to me. It's all about timing, and I haven't looked back.

So, with your eagle-eye observatory-like skills, your ability to make snap judgments and your aggressive signaling style, have you ever thought about becoming a secret agent?
Well, I've got a good eye, a good mind and I can spot the odd bit of bad behavior, so it's an option. But at this time I'm quite happy just to get my finger out in the middle.

How much are you a staunch black caps supporter and how much would it effect your umpiring in an ENG v NZ test match?
If I'm not umpiring a game I'm really behind the Black Caps or the All Blacks. I really want my team to do well. But if I'm officiating, my hat goes off and another hat comes on – it's like switching on a light, and switching one off – it's black and white. It's a special gift that umpires or referees can go out there and umpire to the best of their ability. Really, bias doesn't come into it

Here's a bit more information about Billy. some of it you may not know

Umpire Billy Bowden has won fans and critics alike with his stylish signaling, but there is method in the New Zealander's madness

The 40-year-old is renowned for his stylish signaling, a personal flourish to the art of umpiring that has split views in cricket. Everything is exaggerated, with Bowden's arms and legs flailing as if he were a trapeze artist on the high wire.

A four is met by a great arc of the arm sweeping across his body as the back leg slides out, a balletic act Test Match Special's Henry Blofeld describes as fit for a "walk on part at the Opera House". And Blowers does not stop there. A leg-bye in the NatWest Series was greeted thus: "He taps his leg and shakes it. If it was butter it would be milk by now". And Bowden's general joie de vivre around the stumps earns the description from TMS's wordsmith that he is "like a butterfly with bounce".

However, the powers that be have been impressed by what they have seen and Bowden's star is in the ascendancy. He went to the World Cup as an unknown, but finished standing as the fourth umpire in the final.

ICC General Manager David Richardson paid tribute to the high standards Bowden maintained throughout the competition, describing him as "one of the best performers of the entire tournament".

Within a fortnight he had become the first New Zealander to be admitted to umpiring's elite panel, with ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed saying that he represented "the next generation" of umpires.

Brent Bowden's rise to fame in the white coat came about when his career was curtailed by rheumatoid arthritis. The condition started when Bowden was 21, and within two years the pain became so unbearable that his love of playing was dwindling fast and he chose to draw a close to his time in the middle. Or so he thought. An ad in the New Zealand Herald opened another door and Bowden was soon returning to the wicket as the man in charge.

BILLY BOWDEN FACTFILE Born: 11 April 1963 First class debut: 1992/93 ODI debut: NZ v Sri Lanka 1994/95 ODI matches:42 Test debut: NZ v Australia 1999/00 Test matches: Four

A naturally shy character, Bowden was transformed and his ebullient style was perfect for the helter-skelter style of Max-Cricket in New Zealand. Jumping around, a vision of nervous, twitching energy exploding at any opportunity, Bowden was winning fans and critics as quickly as he takes to make a show of any signal.

But there is method in his madness. His joints ache through the stress of arthritis and the continual movement keeps his body fluid. The signature crooked finger dismissal came about because of associated pain and is, according to Bowden, "50/50 reality/show". Soreness in the arms means he rarely holds on to any jumpers or hats, tucking them under his coat instead.

Bowden makes light of the pain and be it ballet, butterflies, the Big Top or Bozo, he is a man who causes consternation and celebration in equal measure

Thanks to BBC Sport and Soulpurpose Magazine for these articles