Dubai, May 1 (IANS): New Zealand's Billy Bowden has made a return to the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires replacing Tony Hill.
This was the only change from last year as the International Cricket Council (ICC) named the panel for 2014-15 Thursday, following the annual review and selection process.
Also from New Zealand, Hill had stepped down from the panel earlier this year to take up the role of New Zealand Cricket (NZC) umpire coach.
Bowden previously served on the elite panel from 2003-13 and has so far umpired in 76 Tests, 189 One-Day Internationals (ODI) and 21 Twenty20 Internationals.
The Elite Panel of ICC Umpires was selected by the ICC Umpires Selection Panel consisting of Chairman Geoff Allardice, ICC Chief Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle, ex-England player and coach and umpire David Lloyd, and Srinivas Venkataraghavan, former India captain and international umpire.
"Billy's return to the elite panel is a result of his hard work and perseverance. His skills and experience will further strengthen the ICC umpiring team," Allardice said.
The Elite Panel of ICC Umpires for 2014-15 commencing July 1: Aleem Dar, Billy Bowden, Kumar Dharmasena, Steve Davis, Marais Erasmus, Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Bruce Oxenford, Paul Reiffel and Rod Tucker.