LONDON, July 29: New Zealand umpire Billy Bowden will replace Aleem Dar for the second Ashes Test at Edgbaston after Dar was forced to return to Pakistan to be with his wife following the premature birth of their baby this week. The International Cricket Council said that Bowden will stand with Rudi Koertzen at Edgbaston, where the Test gets underway on Thursday, and will continue his Ashes duties with Steve Bucknor in the third Test at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, Clive Lloyd has been appointed as match referee for the three match, Afro-Asia Cup one day international series between representative African XI and Asian XI teams in South Africa next month. Billy Doctrove and Steve Davis will stand in each of the matches at Centurion on August 17 and Durban on Aug 20 and 21.—AFP