Billy Bowden is well known for the exuberant approach he brings to his role as a leading cricket umpire and he says his 43-year journey with arthritis has contributed to that.
“Living with arthritis can be like walking on broken glass – it is painful but it has brought me fun too,” says Billy, who has been an Arthritis NZ ambassador since 2000.
That includes the world famous ‘crooked finger of doom’ Billy uses to indicate a player’s dismissal – because lifting his hand in the conventional way was too painful.
Billy was a promising teenage cricketer, selected for the Auckland A squad following two seasons playing in the UK, when he was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.
His arthritis mainly affects his wrists, elbows, fingers and feet, so he channelled his passion for cricketing into umpiring instead.
He found ‘creative ways’ to deal with the disease, developing distinctive ways of moving that have become his signature in his umpiring and familiar to players and cricket enthusiasts around the world.
He officiated his first One Day International, between New Zealand and Sri Lanka, in 1995; served on the Elite Panel of ICC Umpires including officiating in four ODI World Cups; stood in two T20 World Cups; and in 2023 became the first New Zealand umpire to officiate in 200 first-class matches.
Billy continues to umpire first-class cricket around New Zealand and umpiring in T10 and T20 tournaments around the world. He has also now launched his ‘Crooked Finger’ branded merchandise, including a range of caps, bucket hats and polo shirts.
“That idea came about because someone sent me a clip of a sports quiz show in India where the quizmaster held up a crooked finger and then Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma was on the panel and immediately responded ‘Billy Bowden’.
“The merchandise is already very popular in India. People there are so passionate about cricket, they get very excited and seem to enjoy my style, and I love seeing people having fun.”
Billy is also passionate about raising awareness and funds for the work of Arthritis NZ.
“It’s always been my charity of choice. Once you have arthritis, you have it for life and you have to have a good mixture of support and advice.
“If I can help raise awareness through Arthritis NZ, I hope that can help people have a positive mindset about managing their condition. You may not be able to do something 100% but if you just try then you have succeeded. I encourage people to keep striving and never give up.”
“Everyone knows someone with arthritis, be it gout, rheumatoid or osteo. There are more than 800,000 people in New Zealand with arthritis. If we can increase understanding that it affects people at any age, and about the support available and the importance of funding arthritis research and care, then that’s better for our country and for the world.”
Fresh from umpiring T10 and T20 games overseas during March, Billy enjoyed playing a key role at the Sharp NZ and Arthritis NZ Golf Day fundraiser in Wellington on 16 April.
“I was talking with Arthritis NZ CEO Philip Kearney and the idea for the golf day came about. There were 18 teams of four and it was a really cool and fun day.
“I played a shot for each team and everyone got one of my ‘Crooked Finger’ caps. I do play golf. My arthritis limits how far I can hit the ball. But I feel once you have hit a hole in one you have reached your pinnacle in golf and I got one back in high school, 47 years ago, with a seven iron, on a beautiful day,” he laughs.
“If I can help raise awareness through Arthritis NZ, I hope that can help people have a positive mindset about managing their condition. You may not be able to do something 100% but if you just try then you have succeeded. I encourage people to keep striving and never give up.”
“Everyone knows someone with arthritis, be it gout, rheumatoid or osteo. There are more than 800,000 people in New Zealand with arthritis. If we can increase understanding that it affects people at any age, and about the support available and the importance of funding arthritis research and care, then that’s better for our country and for the world.”
Fresh from umpiring T10 and T20 games overseas during March, Billy enjoyed playing a key role at the Sharp NZ and Arthritis NZ Golf Day fundraiser in Wellington on 16 April.
“I was talking with Arthritis NZ CEO Philip Kearney and the idea for the golf day came about. There were 18 teams of four and it was a really cool and fun day.
“I played a shot for each team and everyone got one of my ‘Crooked Finger’ caps. I do play golf. My arthritis limits how far I can hit the ball. But I feel once you have hit a hole in one you have reached your pinnacle in golf and I got one back in high school, 47 years ago, with a seven iron, on a beautiful day,” he laughs.
Billy has blood tests every two months to monitor his arthritis and sees his rheumatologist once a year. It’s important to have these check-ups and he enjoys the chats he has with them.
“That’s been the pattern for me for 43 years. I’m living with arthritis and loving life, enjoying umpiring and watching my two sons play sport.
“My wife Jennifer is a nutritionist and I take a commonsense approach. I try to eat healthily, I don’t drink alcohol or smoke and I drink lots of sparkling or still water but sneak in the odd chocolate or ice-cream.
“That all helps, along with a positive attitude. I’ve had arthritis since I was 19. I decided then that I wasn’t going to let it beat me, so I’d beat it – and I’m still winning.”
