During the first Test match against Australia, new West Indies captain Roston Chase reaffirmed his displeasure with the umpiring, saying that a number of calls went against his team and significantly affected the result.
After the play on the second day, coach Daren Sammy had already expressed his annoyance, specifically directed at TV umpire Adrian Holdstock.
The two most contentious incidents were Shai Hope’s departure, caught behind by Alex Carey, shortly after the two had put together a strong 67-run partnership to lift the West Indies to 139 for 5 in response to Australia’s 180, and Chase’s own lbw dismissal, despite a potential inside edge. Additionally, a caught-behind appeal against Travis Head on the first day was denied, which infuriated West Indies.
“This game is a frustrating one for me and for the team because we bowled out Australia for a relatively low score. We were very happy with that,” Chase said. “But then there were so many questionable calls in the game and none of them went our way. I mean, as a player, you’re out there, you’re giving your all, you’re fighting. And then nothing is going your way.
“It could be heartbreaking. You see what set batters can do on the wicket. The wicket is one where once you get in, you can get runs, but the hardest part is to get in. Me and Shai Hope were going well and then, obviously, we had some questionable calls. That really set us back in terms of creating a big lead on the total that Australia set.”
“It’s clear to see anyone would feel bad or feel hurt about those decisions. You’re out there playing to win, giving it your all and it seems like everyone is against you.”
Chase also demanded that match officials be held more accountable. He feels that’s insufficient, even if the ICC reviews umpire performances every year and has the authority to demote officials from the elite panel.
“It’s frustrating because as players, when we mess up, when we get out of line, we’re penalised harshly,” Chase said. “But the officials, nothing ever happens to them. They just have a wrong decision or questionable decision and life just goes on.
“You’re talking about guys’ careers. One bad decision could make or break a guy’s career. I just think that it should be an even playground in terms of when players step out of line, they’re penalised. I think that there should be some penalty put in place when you have blatant decisions going against you.
“I think it was a big factor in the game because me and Hope were going well. We even had a catch that went against us in the first innings when we were bowling. So, you never know what the score could have been, but I don’t want to harp on it.”
Australia captain Pat Cummins wasn’t concerned. “We appeal if we think it’s close, we use DRS, and then it’s in the umpires’ hands,” he said. “Sometimes the 50-50 calls don’t go your way. That’s cricket. Over time, it evens out.”
Because Chase and Sammy openly criticized match officials, the ICC may penalize them both.
In addition to the umpiring, the West Indies’ poor fielding, which resulted in seven missed opportunities, was another disappointment. Early on day three, with Australia’s advantage at just 97, Justin Greaves knocked down Head at second slip, resulting in the final drop. On the first day, Chase had dropped one himself.
“There’s nothing I can say to justify the guys dropping the catches,” Chase, who spilled one himself on the first day, said. “We’ve been working hard on the slip catches. Every day, we try to take at least 30 to 40 catches. But practice and in the game is a big difference.
“I just think it’s more a belief. From the time one goes down, I think guys tend to get a bit nervous and second guess their catching ability, and sometimes it can throw you off. But once you put one down, you have to look forward to taking the next one.”
