Most cricket umpires signal their decisions in a stiff, frowning manner. Bowden distinguished himself by using imaginative signals. Some applaud him for bringing originality to umpiring, while others declare that it is neither his job nor his place to use unorthodox and sometimes irritating signals.
His signal for "four", normally signalled by waving an arm back and forth, has been likened to "wiping bread crumbs off a table." He signals "six", which is normally indicated by raising both arms above the head, by rising from a crouching position and finally propelling himself into the air but leaving one leg on the ground while at the same time causing his two hands, which appear to be using sticks to play a drum, to rise with him. Bowden's signal for "leg byes", usually indicated by rasing one knee and tapping it, has been likened to the action of a human pogo-stick, while the signal for "byes", traditionally shown by raising an open palm, is similar to the movements of a window washer. Bowden's trademark is his method of indicating "out." Normally, the umpire raises one index finger to make this signal. Bowden has challenged the tradition by curving his raised finger to resemble a hook.