Bowden to become media shy during Ashes

Sydney, Nov 12 (UNI) After 73 per cent of the Aussie cricketers rated him as the second worst international umpire last year, Billy Bowden today said he will be keeping a low profile in the upcoming Ashes and will not entertain the media during the series.

The Kiwi, who drew flak from Australian skipper Ricky Ponting for his umpiring during last summer's Battle for the Urn, said he intends to shed the flamboyant tag which has accompanied him since the start of his career and avoiding the media would be one way of doing it.

''I'll let you do your job and I will do mine,'' Bowden told Fox Sports here.

''I won't be talking about anything. It will be no comment about everything. Obviously you have to do your job. I don't want to be rude but it's just no comment,'' he added on being asked about the much anticipated series starting November 23 in Brisbane.

Bowden along with West Indies' Steve Bucknor will officiate in the first match and will team up with Pakistan's Aleem Dar for the fifth and final Test here.

Both the England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket Australia agreed to appoint neutral umpires for the tournament, which ruled out ICC's Umpire of the Year for the past two years Simon Taufel.

UNI XC PM SAM KP1510