Daren Sammy Slams Third Umpire for Favoring Australia in Multiple Close Calls During Barbados Test

Daren Sammy pointed to how TV umpire Adrian Holdstock similarly gave controversial calls against the West Indies, against England last month.

Daren Sammy Slams Third Umpire for Favoring Australia in Multiple Close Calls During Barbados Test

Daren Sammy (via Parallel Sports)

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy criticized third umpire Adrian Holdstock for his contentious decisions during the first Test against Australia in Barbados. Sammy accused the TV umpire of favoring the visitors by making multiple close calls against the West Indies.

The Windies and Australia are facing off in a three-match Test series in the Caribbean, for the first time in almost a decade. The home side found themselves in a strong position at the end of the second day’s play, after having restricted the Aussies to a mere 180 runs, in the first innings. However, the visitors fought back, as West Indies also were dismissed for 190 runs, securing a narrow ten-run lead. 

However, West Indies head coach Daren Sammy was left fuming after the end of Day 2, at TV umpire Adrian Holdstock of two controversial calls. It even prompted Sammy to bring up the issue with match referee Javagal Srinath.

The first one out of the two, was the dismissal of skipper Roston Chase. He was given out LBW by the TV umpire off Pat Cummins‘ delivery that struck his pads, even though the review displayed a small spike, suggesting a possible inside edge.

The second controversial call by umpire Holdstock involved Shai Hope, who was caught out on an inside edge off Beau Webster’s delivery, with Australian keeper Alex Carey diving forward to complete the catch.

Despite the review suggesting that the ball might have touched the ground during Carey’s attempt, the third umpire upheld the original ‘out’ call. Curiously, a similar catch involving Hope in the first innings, off Travis Head, was overturned, with the benefit of the doubt going to the batter.

Daren Sammy publicly questioned if third umpire Adrian Holdstock had ‘something against’ his team, given the repeated dubious calls. Speaking to ESPN Cricinfo, he called for greater consistency from the match officials. Furthermore, he frustratingly criticized the ’particular’ umpire, asserting that his decision-making has consistently gone against the West Indies, a trend he claims began during the England series.

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 decisions.

Sammy stated that he does not wish to go into a Test match, carrying doubts about certain umpires. Additionally, the former West Indies T20 World Cup winning captain also confirmed his team would soon be looking to lodge an official complaint against the third umpire. Despite the umpire’s decisions, Sammy emphasized that his team is still in a comfortable position to win the match:

Yeah, look, you don’t want to get yourself in a situation where you’re wondering about certain umpires. I know he’s here for the series. You don’t want to go in a Test match having that doubt.

It wasn’t just Sammy who disagreed with the third umpire’s decisions, but West Indian fast-bowling legend and cricket commentator Ian Bishop also voiced his concerns. Regarding captain Roston Chase’s dismissal, Bishop firmly stated that the all-rounder should have been ruled not out, believing the decision to be a technical error.

Daren Sammy Says ‘More Players Will Follow’, After Nicholas Pooran’s International Retirement

West Indies national team head coach Daren Sammy opened up about Nicholas Pooran’s sudden retirement from international cricket, at the age of just 29. Sammy expressed concern over the future of other such talented players, and how to keep them motivated to play on for the nation. 

Darren Sammy and Nicholas Pooran
Daren Sammy opened up about Nicholas Pooran’s early retirement from international cricket. (via ESPN Cricinfo)

On Nicholas Pooran’s untimely retirement, former West Indies skipper Daren Sammy revealed that he had anticipated the 29-year-old’s move before the England tour last month. He added that Pooran’s retirement makes it difficult to motivate young players to play for the country, and predicted that more would follow in that direction of retiring early to focus on franchise careers. 

I’m pretty sure more will follow in that mood, in that direction. That’s the way T20 cricket is now, and especially coming from the West Indies, with the challenges that we face trying to keep our players motivated.

Sammy also pointed out that without Nicholas Pooran, the West Indies white-ball team struggled during their series against England, losing both the ODI and T20I series 3-0. They then managed only a single win against Ireland in a rain-affected three-match T20 series.