BILLY FACTBOX

26th November 2009

* Name: Brent Fraser (Billy) Bowden

* Born: April 11, 1963, Henderson, Auckland.

* What do you love about umpiring?

Travelling around the world and meeting people, tasting new food and culture and following the sun.

* What do you dislike about it?

Being away from home as there's no place in the world like it.

* Favourite food: Lamb, mint sauce and all the potatoes you can find with ground pepper and swamped in sauce (oh and have to have vegies with that as wife Jenny will be telling me off). Also, icecream with strawberries whipped cream (lots, that is, when Jenny's not around).

* Drink: 80/20 (pineapple/orange and ginger ale). I'm high on life. A lot of people think I don't need alcohol so that's why I don't drink. Also, Copa (cranberry, orange, pineapple and apple).

* TV show: Wipeout because it's an obstacle course game show. I'm forced to watch Sex and the City because it makes me understand how women tick.

* Music: Anything that's got a good beat ("MJ - Michale Jackson - would make a good umpire, you know. Man in the Mirror/Man in the Middle, get it?") and Coldplay too.

* Who would you not like to sit next to on a flight?

Smokers because of their breath and snorers.

* What would you be if you weren't an umpire?

A cricket commentator because then I can do or say anything.

* If you could have anything for your next birthday, what would it be?

One pill that would cure my arthritis because it's a life-time sentence for pain.

* What's your worse household chore?

Making the bed because it's such a pain and you just can't get it right. Women have a knack for it. I do the vacuuming and tidy the kitchen, when Jenny's around (wink, wink).