Third umpire's repeated howlers against West Indies in Barbados Test vs AUS sparks controversy: Sammy, Bishop furious
The first Test between the West Indies and Australia at the Kensington Oval in Barbados is turning out to be a thriller. The two days of action have seen 24 wickets fall, and the match is poised on a knife's edge. However, all the attention has been on third umpire Adrian Holdstock, who has been the central figure in five controversial DRS decisions. The West Indies camp might have a lot to complain about, as four of these decisions went against them. West Indies vs Australia, 1st Test: The contest in Barbados has been rocked by the controversy surrounding the third umpire(Screengrab - Fancode)
In the very first over of Day 2, West Indies captain Roston Chase squeezed an in-seaming delivery from Josh Hazlewood towards fine leg for a single. Australia captain Pat Cummins went upstairs as he thought the ball hit the pad first. A spike appeared on the Ultraedge a frame before the ball struck Chase's bat.
However, the visitors were left shocked when the third umpire gave a not-out verdict, thinking the ball hit the bat first. Pat Cummins and Hazlewood immediately went up to the on-field officials for clarification.
Another incident involving Windies skipper Roston Chase happened over the next few overs, and this definitely left the hosts rattled. The right-hander was given LBW as he was struck on the knee roll as Pat Cummins bowled an unplayable delivery.
Chase went for a review, thinking he got an inside edge. The bat and pad were close together, and it seemed like the Windies skipper did get an inside edge. However, the third umpire thought otherwise, much to the dismay of the West Indies dressing room. It must be mentioned that, considering the bat and pad were close to each other, the Ultraedge showed no obvious spike.
Former West Indies pacer Ian Bishop expressed his fury with the decision, saying Holdstock failed to make the right call. "I disagree with the decision. I disagree with the technology there. I thought he hit that. I feel sorry for the officiating team there, but in my view, that clearly should not have been out. Chase is in bewilderment," he said on air.
"There are not many fans of Adrian Holdstock inside the West Indies dressing room at the moment," said former West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite. Drama continues
The drama did not stop there. Later in the afternoon session, West Indies batter Shai Hope had to walk back after falling prey to an outstanding catch by wicketkeeper Alex Carey. However, the on-field officials were not satisfied with the Australians' effort and referred the call to the third umpire.
Also Read: West Indies pacer avenges Australia great's insult by running through Cummins and Co
The slow-motion replays seemed to indicate that Carey grassed the ball on the turf. However, once again, Holdstock thought otherwise.
West Indies coach Daren Sammy could not believe his eyes. He threw his arms up in disgust upon learning about Holdstock's verdict. The Barbados crowd also voiced their disbelief.
"The emotions on the ground are a little bit high at the moment. It appears as though it touches the ground. I agree with the sentiments of the West Indies dressing room that they feel like they've been on the wrong end of some of the calls today," said former Australia batter Greg Blewett on commentary.
Towards the end of Day 2, the third umpire Holdstock once again made a controversial decision, and this too went against the West Indies as Cameron Green survived a close LBW appeal. Replays indicated that the ball touched the pad before the bat. However, Holdstock once again thought otherwise and did not give it out.
Earlier on Day 1, Travis Head edged a delivery off the bowling of Shamar Joseph to Shai Hope. It seemed that the Windies fielder had taken the catch pretty clearly. However, Holdstock reckoned the ball fell short and Head got a chance to continue on.
Speaking of the first Test, Australia are 92/4 in the second innings, leading the hosts by 80 runs. For the visitors, Travis Head and Beau Webster are unbeaten on 13 and 19, respectively.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Darren Sammy Questions 3rd Umpire's Integrity: 'Something Against This Team?'
Darren Sammy has TV umpire Adrian Holdstock's integrity, asking if he had 'something against' the West Indies. West Indies head coach Darren Sammy has questioned whether TV umpire Adrian Holdstock has 'something against' his team after repeated controversial calls during the first Test against Australia in Barbados. Sammy said this is not the first time he had felt uncomfortable about Holdstock, adding that he had met with match referee Javagal Srinath to seek 'clarity' over the decision-making. There were several controversial calls in the first two days of the Test. The biggest was Alex Carey's reflex catch to his left against Shai Hope, which the on-field umpires sent to Holdstock. Replays showed that the ball brushed the grass while still in the wicketkeeper's gloves, but Holdstock gave the dismissal. Sammy was seen visibly frustrated at that, while social media went abuzz, sharing videos of a similar catch from Hope in the first innings against Travis Head. On that occasion, Holdstock gave the benefit of the doubt to the batter, denying Shamar Joseph of what he thought was his fifth wicket. 'We are just trying to find some sort of understanding as to what the process is," Sammy said in the post-day press conference, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. 'We only hope for consistency. That's all we could ask for. When there is doubt in something, just be consistent across the board. 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." '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." Asked whether the Windies would lodge a formal complaint, Sammy said, 'You'll have to wait and see for that." West Indies captain Roston Chase was another in the middle of a controversy. He was given out early in his innings, but Holdstock overturned the call, feeling there was an edge involved, much to the dismay of the Australians. After he crossed 40, he was given out on Pat Cummins' bowling and the third umpire upheld the decision on review, but the West Indians weren't happy this time, feeling that the ball had deviated off an edge. Sammy added that mistakes are normal in the sport, but the decisions were not 'fair' for both teams. Mitchell Starc questions technology Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, meanwhile, put doubt over the technology. 'There's been some interesting ones," Starc said. 'Obviously a couple more have gone against the West Indies than us. One for us [against Chase] looked like there was a gap between the bat and the ball, it cost us 40-odd runs, but then a contentious one to then get the wicket. As players, you can only ask a question. We don't use the technology to make that decision. It sort of felt like, or looked like, that the Snicko and the images were out of sync to some capacity," he added. Australia ended the day at 92/4, 82 runs ahead in the second innings, with the Test heading towards a possible three-day finish. First Published: June 27, 2025, 10:23 IST
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
West Indies Star Cricketer Accused Of Sexual Assault, Rape By 11 Women: Report
An unnamed West Indies men's cricketer has been accused of several counts of sexual assault, sexual harrasment and rape, as per reports in West Indies-based media outlets. According to a video report by Caribbean-based SportsMax TV, the cricketer in question is from Guyana and is a part of the current national team setup. Further information in the video report states that the cricketer has been accused by at least 11 women. However, no charge has been filed as of yet against the cricketer. Cricket West Indies (CWI) has also refused to comment on the matter. The report appears to have emerged originally from Guyana-based newspaper Kaieteur Sports. The report further contained this revelation: "I have heard accounts from no fewer than eleven women, one of them a teenager, who allege that they have been sexually assaulted, raped, or subjected to unwanted sexual advances by him." Guys! This incredibly concerning and disconcerting. @windiescricket - do something. Say something. — T (@teecha_) June 26, 2025 As per the subsequent video report, there have also allegedly been significant attempts to cover up the player and his actions. SportsMax TV, which made the video report, reached out to Cricket West Indies asking whether they were aware of the matter, whether there was any investigation in place, and whether there were any attempts to cover-up. This was the response: "Cricket West Indies is unaware of the circumstances and, therefore, is not in a position to comment at this time," CWI President Kishore Shallow was quoted as saying, in the report. As per lawyer Nigel Hughes - who was reached out to by one of the alleged victims two years ago - the player was part of the West Indies squad that famously beat Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane in January 2024. Hughes stated that no charges have been filed against the cricketer by the victims. He also claimed that talk regarding the player's actions died down after he returned to Guyana from the tour of Australia. However, enquiries as recent as a day or two ago have taken place regarding the matter. Hughes also stated that the cricketer received a "hero's welcome" upon returning to Guyana following the West Indies' victory in Australia a year ago.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Watch: West Indies' Jayden Seales fined 15 percent of his match fees - here's why
Jayden Seales (middle) on Day 1 of the first Test between West Indies and Australia. (AP) West Indies fast bowler Jayden Seales has been fined 15 percent of his match fee by the International Cricket Council for breaching the code of conduct during the first Test against Australia in Barbados. The incident occurred when Seales made a gesture towards the dressing room after dismissing Australian captain Pat Cummins at Kensington Oval. The ICC found Seales in violation of Article 2.5 of the Code of Conduct, which deals with using actions or gestures that could provoke an aggressive reaction from a dismissed batter during an international match. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! When questioned about the incident at the end of day, Seales downplayed its significance. "It did not really mean anything and it was more a bit of frustration. Pat hit a couple of good shots off me and I just showed him where the dressing room was and there wasn't really anything in it," Seales explained. Along with the fine, Seales received one demerit point, his second offence in 24 months, bringing his total demerit points to two for that period. The West Indies bowling attack, including Seales, showed strong performance on the second day of the Test match against the World Test Championship runners-up Australia. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pistol de sudură laser multifuncțional siginificant Află mai multe Undo The hosts gained a 10-run first-innings lead, thanks to a crucial 67-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Shai Hope, who scored 48, and captain Roston Chase, who contributed 44. Australia's second innings got off to a shaky start, reaching 92 for 4 wickets, leading by 82 runs overall. Seales claimed his sixth wicket of the match by bowling out Josh Inglis for 12. The match remains evenly balanced heading into day three, with Travis Head on 13 and Beau Webster on 19 set to resume batting for Australia. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
