WI vs AUS: Daren Sammy fumes over controversial TV umpiring call in the first Test

The West Indies head coach, Daren Sammy, appears to have run out of patience with umpire Adrian Holdstock. The former West Indies star has reportedly confronted the match referee for the first West Indies vs Australia Test, Javagal Srinath, to express his concerns about Holdstock. The WI coach has had issues with Holdstock’s decisions since the West Indies played England in a white-ball series on English soil. However, Holdstock's latest controversial calls as the TV umpire in the first Test at Barbados appear to have pushed Sammy over the edge.

Daren Sammy confronts the match referee following Day 2 of the first WI vs AUS Test

The second day of first West Indies vs Australia Test at Barbados saw the home team losing two important wickets over contentious TV umpiring calls. Daren Sammy reportedly approached match referee Javagal Srinath in the aftermath of a series of contentious umpiring calls. Third umpire Adrian Holdstock found himself under heavy scrutiny following a string of decisions that seemed to disadvantage the home side during the opening Test of the three-match series.

As per a recent report, Sammy met with the match referee after stumps on Day 2 to raise concerns and seek clarification regarding the officiating. He revealed that his reservations regarding Holdstock’s judgment weren’t new, dating back to the recent ODI series against England, where Holdstock served as TV umpire in two games and stood on-field in another.

Two major moments on the second day left West Indies aggrieved. The first involved Roston Chase, who was declared LBW off Pat Cummins despite replays suggesting a clear inside edge. The second saw Shai Hope being given out after a spectacular take by Alex Carey, though television footage hinted that the Australian keeper may have grounded the ball.

"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," Sammy noted. "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," he added.

When asked if the West Indies are contemplating a formal complaint against Holdstock, Sammy did not confirm or deny, indicating that the option remains open. However, he emphasized that his priority is to gain clarity rather than point fingers. The West Indies head coach further acknowledged the sensitive nature of publicly discussing officials. Moreover, the coach emphasised on keeping the players separate from the controvery. Sammy talked about directing his players to not speak on the matter at any point in the game.

"We know the rules. We know fines going all across the board," he said. "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, [us] against our own selves, some of these decisions, and we're still in a position to win," the WI head coach further noted.