When Billy Bowden and Tony Hill walk out to the middle of the worlds most famous cricketing venue for the final Test between England and Pakistan they will be creating history.
It will be the first time two neutral umpires from the same country will officiate in a Test match at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
New Zealand Cricket CEO, Justin Vaughan, said the achievement by the two Kiwis marked the pinnacle of cricket umpiring excellence.
“Having two umpires from one country sharing Test umpiring duties is a worthy reflection on the work done in this country over many years by the New Zealand Umpires and Scorers Association and is a very formal stamp of approval for the two men themselves.
“Billy and Tony are great role models for the next generation of umpires and we are extremely proud of them,” Vaughan added.
SKY TV is broadcasting the match live on Thursday 26 August 9:30pm (NZ time).
Bowden and Hill set to make history
* ICC release
Billy Bowden and Tony Hill of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires will create history on Thursday by becoming the first neutral umpires from the same country to officiate together in a Test match at Lord’s.
New Zealanders Bowden and Hill will take charge of the fourth and final Test match between England and Pakistan at the Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Bowden, who will be standing in his 62nd Test match, said: ‘To umpire with my fellow New Zealander Tony Hill for the first-time ever in a Test match will be special.
“To be at Lord’s and to create a little piece of history by being the first two neutral umpires from the same country to umpire there makes it super special. Yes, it will be a proud moment for us, our families, New Zealand Cricket and to all our fellow umpires in New Zealand.
“We will be proud Kiwis for sure as we walk out to the middle together. It is a testimony to the umpiring structure that has been put in place in New Zealand and I trust in a small way it will inspire future generations of Test umpires from New Zealand.”
Tony Hill, who like Bowden hails from Auckland, added: “To say I am looking forward to the Lord’s Test is an understatement.
“Although I have already stood there for a couple of shorter version games, to get to stand in a Test there is brilliant. To have a Kiwi at the other end is a bonus and the full impact of the occasion probably won't sink in for a while yet.”
The final Test of the four match series will be Hill’s 20th Test match. England leads the series 2-1.
