The game still enters the record books as the toss took place before it rained, the International Cricket Council [ Images ] (ICC [ Images ]) said in a news release.

That means the 43-year-old Bowden, with the famous crooked-finger send-off for batsmen, becomes only the second New Zealander after Steve Dunne to stand in a century of one-day internationals.

"All I ever want is to ensure I do my best, it is not about records," said Bowden. "Having said that, it is a special day and it is great to be a member of the 100-club."

He is the youngest umpire to join the club but it is a record he is likely to hold for only a few days.

Simon Taufel, 35, is one short of his century and should reach the milestone in his native Australia [ Images ] during this month's tri-series which also involves England [ Images ] and New Zealand.

"Shortly after I stopped playing in 1986 due to arthritis, I realised I wanted to give something back to the game and the way I chose to do that was to umpire," said Bowden.

Most one-day international appearances by umpires:

David Shepherd (England) 172

Rudi Koertzen [ Images ] (South Africa [ Images ]) 158

Steve Bucknor [ Images ] (West Indies [ Images ]) 151

Daryl Harper (Australia) 127

Darrell Hair (Australia) 124

David Orchard (Australia) 107

Steve Dunne (New Zealand) 100

Billy Bowden (New Zealand) 100