New Zealand Cricket welcomes umpire appointment

New Zealand Cricket umpiring manager Brian Aldridge has welcomed the appointment of New Zealand umpire Brent "Billy" Bowden to the panel of umpires for the Super Six Stage of the ICC Cricket World Cup.

The original group of 22 umpires for the pool play stage of the World Cup has been reduced to 12, following a detailed assessment of each umpire's performance in the first stage of the tournament.

"Six of the eight members of the ICC's elite panel are included on the panel for the Super Six so Billy has been selected to umpire among highly respected company for the next stage," Aldridge said.

"This is a great honour for Billy and a proud moment for New Zealand Cricket.

"The feedback I have received from South Africa is that Billy's umpiring has been excellent and the appointment is well deserved.

"Billy would now seem to be well on track to be selected as a member of the elite panel of umpires and I have every confidence he will perform well during the remaining stages of the World Cup," Mr Aldridge said.