Bridgetown: At the 2007 World Cup, umpires boast stories as colourful as some of the players. None more so than William ‘Billy’ Bowden.

The crooked finger to indicate ‘out’, a staggered raising of the arms for a ‘six’, and a bizarre, crouched sweeping movement for a ‘four’ all make the New Zealander a favourite with camera and crowd alike.

The 44-year-old Bowden, who has arthritis in his elbow, started using the hooked finger for giving a batsman out in 1996. Bowden says it’s all a feature of his love of the game.

“It just came naturally... it’s just the way I express myself… I love the game,” Bowden said.