Darren Sammy Explodes in Fury Over Repeated Umpiring Blunders During WI vs AUS 1st Test

Umpiring Mishaps in WI vs AUS 1st Test Match

The 1st of the three match Test series is currently played at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. However, a string of umpiring errors in just two days of play has generated outrage. Question marks have been raised, the 3rd umpire Adrian Holdstock in particular, who has made several calls despite having the technology to aid his decision making.

Roston Chase given LBW out despite clear spike on UltraEdge

One of the most talked about umpiring blunders that is currently doing rounds on various social media like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook was when the 3rd turned blind to spot a spike on the UltraEdge spike meter.

In the 49.2 overs during the West Indies inning, batsman Roston Chase was given out by the on-field umpire Richard Kettleborough off the bowling of Australian skipper Pat Cummins. Chase was caught on crease when he failed to play a back of length delivery that inside sharp to surprise the Caribbean batsman. He was caught straight in-front of the stumps and the umpire Kettleborough had no hesitation to declare him out.

Chase, however, chose to protest the on-field umpire's decision and request DRS. During the review, a clear spike was shown in the UltraEdge meter and a small deflection. But the 3rd umpire shocked everyone and opined that there was a gap between the bat and ball and Roston Chase was given LBW out. This left many bemused about the call.

Shai Hope given caught behind despite ball touching the grass

Soon after, another controversial decision by 3rd umpire Adrian Holdstock caught the attention. West Indies wicketkeeper batter Shai Hope was caught behind one handed by Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey diving to his left side.

When the third umpire checked for a fair catch, the replay cameras displayed that a part of the ball grazed the ground. However, to the surprise of everyone, Adrian Holdstock, despite observing for some minutes, ruled that the fingers were underneath the ball and ruled it a fair catch. Shai Hope’s wicket was a valuable one for Australia as he was batting on 48 runs off 91 balls.

Travis Head judged not out despite fair catch

A similar incident to the previous one unfolded earlier during Australia’s 1st inning. The Aussie batter Travis Head tried to play an on-drive in the 45.2 overs of the inning. However he couldn't connect and the ball carried to the keeper Shai Hope.

The on-field asked the 3rd umpire Adrian Holdstock to check the fair catch. The replays and the UltraEdge confirmed that there was a definite edge of Head’s bat. The ball bounced in wicketkeeper Shai Hope's gloves, and the replay cameras showed that the catch appeared fair.

However, after looking at several other angles, Holdstock ruled that the ball didn't carry straight to wicketkeeper gloves and Travis Head was given not out. He was eventually dismissed in the 49.2 over, when he was once again caught behind by the wicketkeeper Shai Hope.

Cameron Green survived LBW dismissal

Another decision by the 3rd umpire that angered the fans on social media was when he adjudged Cameron Green not out of a LBW appeal.

During the review, the UltraEdge suggested a bat-pad contact. However, Adrian Holdstock ruled it as the bat hitting the ball. Later, the ball-tracking replays showed that it was all red and Green would have been out if not for the umpire thinking it was bat and ball rather than the bat and pad, what it really was.

Darren Sammy blasts at the umpiring calls during WI vs AUS 1st Test

West Indies head-coach Darren Sammy witnessed all the madness unfold from the dugout. However, at the end of day 2's play, Sammy criticised the umpiring calls, especially the calls by South African 3rd umpire Adrian Holdstock.

Sammy stated that he has been having issues with Holdstock from sometimes back in England. “I have noticed, especially with this particular umpire, it's something that for me started in England. It's frustrating. I just ask for consistency in the decision-making. In our opinion, we saw the ball deviated onto the pad (on Roston Chase call),” Sammy was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

He added that wants fairness in the calls, “I'm just saying, judge what you see. If you see the same thing and one is not out, there is even more doubt on the other than you give it out. Again, I don't know what he's seen but from the images that we've seen, the decisions are not fair enough for both teams. We're all humans. Mistakes will be made. I just want fairness.”

He also raised questions on 3rd umpire Adrian Holdstock’s integrity, “Yeah, look, you don't want to get yourself in a situation where you're wondering about certain umpires. Is there something against this team? But when you see decision after decision, then it raises the question.”

“I know he's here for the series. You don't want to go in a Test match having that doubt. So I want to have that conversation as to the process... so we could be all clear. Because, at the end of the day, you don't want to be going into a Test match not trusting the umpires. And that's not what our team is about. So we're just looking for some clarity as to the decisions,” he continued.

Darren Sammy rounded-off adding that despite the umpiring howlers, West Indies is still in a winning position, “We know the rules. We know fines going all across the board. I don't want them to focus on that. Yes, we're kind of shooting ourselves in the foot by dropping so many catches, but look at the Test match, against our own selves, some of these decisions and we're still in a position to win.”

West Indies vs Australia 1st Test highlights so far

The 1st of three match Test series between West Indies and Australia began on June 25. Batting first, Australia were all-out for 180 runs with a fifty from Travis Head. Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph were exceptional with the ball, taking 5 and 4 wickets respectively.

West Indies in-reply scored 190 runs, taking 10 runs lead, with Roston Chase and Shai Hope the top scorers with 44 and 48 runs respectively. Mitchell Starc took 3 wickets while the trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Beau Webster bagged 2 each.

Australia ended day 2 with 92 runs for the loss of 4 wickets, leading the hosts by 82 runs. Travis Head and Beau Webster remained unbeaten on 13 and 19 runs respectively and resumed the inning from this point on day 3 in Barbados.