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Former captain of the West Indies cricket team and current head coach Daren Sammy has questioned the umpiring done by TV umpire Adrian Holdstock in the ongoing first Test match between West Indies and Australia at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. The row escalated as West Indies’ head coach raised the matter over two decisions that went against his side. According to the reports, a frustrated Sammy met with match referee Javagal Srinath questioning the TV umpire’s process and consistency.
Reports say that while referring to umpire Holdstock, Sammy said, “I have noticed, especially with this particular umpire, it’s something for me started in England. It’s frustrating.” Sammy further added that all he asks for is consistency in the decision-making process.
West Indies' head coach contested two tough umpiring decision that didn't went the way of his team
This controversy arises from two moments that proved pivotal in the second day of the Barbados Test. Chase was given out to an appeal by Pat Cummins, the delivery cut in from outside off and stayed low catching Chase in the crease. But this time Holdstock upheld the on-field call in what the former West Indies’ captain believed to be a thick deviation off the bat.
While referring to that wicket Sammy said, “In our opinion, we saw the ball deviated onto the pad.” That wicket ended the 67-run partnership between Chase and Shai Hope.
Just a few overs later, Shai Hope was also ruled out caught behind off Beau Webster, despite the replays showing that the ball brushed the grass while in Alex Carey’s gloves. The on-field umpires had referred the decision to the third umpire, who ruled it out.
Cricket experts and social media quickly reacted with side-by-side comparisons of a similar catch by Shai Hope himself on the first day to dismiss Travis Head, a decision that was ruled not out by Adrian Holdstock.
While highlighting this inconsistency, Sammy further said, “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 one 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.”
here's been some interesting ones, obviously a couple more have gone against the West Indies than us: Mitchell Starc
Interestingly, Australia also found themselves puzzled with their share of frustration. Speaking after day two of the game, pacer Mitchell Starc raised doubts over DRS technology being used. He mentioned a moment earlier in the day when they believed they had Roston Chase out lbw, only for Holdstock to rule there was insufficient evidence to overturn the on-field call.
While questioning DRS, the Australian pacer said, “There's been some interesting ones, 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.” He further said, "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."
