The New Zealand umpire Billy Bowden has been dropped from the ICC's Elite Panel for the 2015-16 season, but another New Zealander has been promoted.
NZ Cricket umpire Billy Bowden Photo: Photosport
Bowden and the retiring Steve Davis of Australia have been replaced on the 12-man panel by Chris Gaffaney and Sundaram Ravi of India.
Bowden was dropped in 2013, but returned a year later. He has umpired in 84 Tests.
The Elite Panel of ICC Umpires for 2015-2016 will be: Aleem Dar, Kumar Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney, Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Sundaram Ravi, Paul Reiffel, Rod Tucker and Bruce Oxenford.
Gaffaney, who officiated in his first first-class match in 2005, made his international umpiring debut in Toronto in September 2010 in an ODI between Canada and Ireland, and has to date umpired in two Tests, 41 ODIs and 15 T20Is.
39-year-old Gaffaney, who also played 83 first-class matches as an Otago opener, was delighted with the news. "I am thrilled to be promoted to the elite panel as it has to be the aim of every umpire to be appointed to this select group.
"I have a number of people to thank, especially those who have assisted from the very beginning of my umpire career, and will be doing this individually in due course. I, however, need to mention the support and understanding of both the NZC and the Police force, who allowed me the opportunity to follow my career as a policeman and also as an umpire. I am extremely grateful for their understanding, which has made this possible."
