Daren Sammy faces ICC heat for umpire row in the WI vs AUS opener

The West Indies head coach, Daren Sammy, let his frustration get the better of him on Day 2 of the opening West Indies vs Australia Test at Barbados. Several dismissal calls that were sent upstairs for review by the TV umpire resulted in contentious decisions. An alleged inside edge was given out LBW, while Alex Carey was awarded a brilliant catch that had apparently grazed the grass. These controversial decisions, coming from third umpire Adrian Holdstock, saw the Windies lose their captain Roston Chase and Shai Hope walk back to the dugout. Sammy, irked by the umpiring quality, confronted the match referee, Javagal Srinath, at the end of the day's play.

Daren Sammy handed 15% fine and a demerit point for criticising third umpire Adrian Holdstock during WI vs AUS Test

Now, as Australia have won the match by 159 runs on Day 3 of the first WI vs AUS Test, the ICC has sprung into action. West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has been handed a fine by the apex council for his public criticism of third umpire Adrian Holdstock during the opening Test at Kensington Oval, Barbados. The incident, which occurred on Day 2 of the match, resulted in a 15 per cent deduction from Sammy’s match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct. The ICC, in its official statement, confirmed that Sammy had violated Article 2.7 of its Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel.

The article addresses “public criticism of, or inappropriate comment in relation to an incident occurring in an International Match or any Player, Player Support Personnel, Match Official or team participating in any International Match, irrespective of when such criticism or inappropriate comment is made.”

Along with the financial penalty, one demerit point has also been added to the disciplinary record of the Windies coach. This marks his first such offence within a 24-month span. Sammy accepted responsibility for his comments and agreed to the sanction proposed by match referee Javagal Srinath, which meant that no formal hearing was deemed necessary.

The charge was brought against the West Indies coach by on-field umpires Richard Kettleborough and Nitin Menon, third umpire Adrian Holdstock, and fourth umpire Gregory Brathwaite. Under ICC regulations, Level 1 offences carry penalties ranging from an official reprimand to a fine of up to 50 per cent of a match fee, and may include one or two demerit points.

The Test match, which ended in a 159-run victory for Australia, featured a string of controversial decisions that went against the West Indies. Third umpire Holdstock came under fire for a number of questionable calls, particularly those involving Shai Hope and Roston Chase on the second day.

Speaking candidly after the day’s play, Sammy didn’t hold back in expressing his dissatisfaction with the officiating. He reportedly even approached match referee Javagal Srinath to raise concerns about the consistency in third umpire decisions. Australia went on to seal a comprehensive win on Day 3, with Josh Hazlewood picking up a five-wicket haul in the final innings. The result gave the visitors a 1-0 advantage in the ongoing three-Test series.