West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has been fined by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for publicly criticising third umpire Adrian Holdstock following a string of contentious decisions during the first Test against Australia at Kensington Oval in Barbados. The match, which Australia won by 159 runs, was marred by moments that left the home side visibly frustrated.
On the second day of the Test, two key decisions went against the West Indies. Roston Chase was given out LBW by Holdstock despite signs of a possible inside edge, while Shai Hope was adjudged caught behind off a delivery that appeared to graze the ground before being collected by wicketkeeper Alex Carey.
These calls followed Holdstock’s decision a day earlier, when he ruled that a low catch taken by Hope to dismiss Travis Head was not carried. The series of incidents led to Sammy voicing his concerns at the post-day press conference.
“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,” Sammy said.
The ICC found Sammy guilty of breaching Article 2.7 of its Code of Conduct, which relates to public criticism of match officials. He was fined 15% of his match fee and handed one demerit point, his first in two years. The charge was laid by on-field umpires Richard Kettleborough and Nitin Menon, third umpire Holdstock, and fourth umpire Gregory Brathwaite.
Sammy accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Javagal Srinath, which allowed him to avoid a formal hearing. Under ICC regulations, a Level 1 offence carries a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum fine of 50% of the match fee, along with one or two demerit points.
West Indies captain Roston Chase also spoke up after the match, pointing out that unlike players, umpires are not held accountable for their mistakes. No sanction has been announced against Chase so far.
The controversial calls had a major impact on the outcome, with Hope and Chase dismissed for 48 and 44 respectively. Their wickets stalled West Indies’ momentum, and Australia capitalised to wrap up the game on Day 3, helped by Josh Hazlewood’s five-wicket haul.
