Konstas and Green in ugly scenes as cricket world fumes over 'dreadful' controversy
But the controversy started on day two when Roston Chase escaped a close umpire call at the start of play. Josh Hazlewood thought he hit the front pad of Chase, before he was able to squeeze the ball for a single. Captain Pat Cummins reviewed the decision and the players celebrated when they thought replays showed the ball hitting Chase's pad first and going on to hit the stumps.
But third umpire Adrian Holdstock gave a not-out decision, which left Cummins and Hazlewood confused. 'Hazlewood was a little bit concerned. He thought there might have been just a little bit of a spike, hitting the pad first,' former Aussie batter Greg Blewett said during commentary. 'I actually think the right decision was made.'
Former West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite joined Blewett to claim the third umpire had to ignore the spike because it took place between frames and couldn't be relied upon. 'That little spike in the frame before, I'm being told, is in between frames,' Brathwaite said. 'Anything in the centre of (the graphic) is what they consider to be the Ultraedge frame, not the edges on the left or right.'
But that wasn't the only controversial call. Chase then became frustrated when he was given out LBW to Cummins. Chase believed he got an inside edge, before the ball rocketed into his pads after staying low. The Ultra-edge technology showed no clear evidence he hit the ball before the LBW shout and the frustrated captain had to depart for 44 off 108 balls.
But this didn't sit well with everyone. West Indies legend Ian Bishop believed there was a clear deviation having claimed the bat hit the ball first. 'I disagree with the decision,' Bishop said in commentary. 'I disagree with the technology there, I thought he hit that. I feel sorry for the officiating team there, but in my view, that clearly should have been not out. (Chase) is in bewilderment.'
(it'll never happen) specialist tv umps for test cricket #WIvAUS https://t.co/fu6LZJHqMG
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) June 26, 2025
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But arguably the most controversial decision came when wicketkeeper Alex Carey was deemed to have claimed the wicket of Shai Hope. The West Indies batter edged behind off a Beau Webster delivery, which sent Carey diving to his left. However, replays showed the ball may have touched the ground before reaching Carey.
Regardless, the third umpire gave the Aussies the benefit of the doubt and Hope departed for 48 off 91 balls. This decision appeared to really frustrate the cricket community with fans stunned the decision was given out when the ball appeared to touch the ground as Carey gathered control.
That old debate of whether Alex Carey was in control of the ball, and whether he was in control of his body. All down to interpretation, that beautiful word in every umpire's textbook
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) June 26, 2025
sammy isn't happy! #WIvAUS pic.twitter.com/UT3kQJ4oHu
— Long Live Test Cricket (@LongLiveTest) June 26, 2025
Watching #WIvAUS and this was given out caught behind. Dreadful pic.twitter.com/qXKJVSxVAV
— Flip (@flip214) June 26, 2025
Well....Well....Well....!!The ball can be seen touching the ground clearly but still the third umpire gave it out. 😳That's a horrendous decision by the third umpire. Alex Carey was the man behind and Shai Hope was given out.#WIvAUS #WIvsAUS pic.twitter.com/GRXfuydqty
— Saabir Zafar (@Saabir_Saabu01) June 26, 2025
The reliable bowling of Mitchell Starc (3-65), Hazlewood (2-34) and Cummins (2-34) all chipped in as the West Indies gained a slight first-innings advantage. While Australia appeared fortunate to get two calls go their way, it didn't help them when it came to their time to bat.
Konstas was once again lost in the middle having been dropped at second-slip, before looking to charge down the wicket to negate the moving ball. However, it didn't last long with Konstas chopping the ball on for five from 37 deliveries.
And Green also offered up little resistance, managing to score just 15 runs but never looking comfortable on a pitch that offered a little bit to the West Indies bowlers. The 26-year-old has now failed to surpass 30 runs in any of his last six Test match innings, with question marks being asked of Australia's top order. While Travis Head and Beau Webster guided the Aussies to stumps at 4-92 heading into day three, fans are once again questioning the frail batting line-up.
Usman Khawaja, Konstas and Green have been granted an opportunity at the top of the order ahead of the Ashes. But fans are growing frustrated with the lack of starts in the team with Head or Steve Smith often the two to save the Aussie collapses.
Cameron Green's poor form with the bat is a real concern for Australia ⚠️#WIvAUS pic.twitter.com/lz7nT1ajvl
— Cricketangon (@cricketangon) June 26, 2025
Guess the fact is this. Young Sam Konstas does still seem to have a lot of technical frailties to work on as a Test opener & also that two of his three Tests have come in rather challenging batting conditions, Sydney & now here in Barbados. Still very much work in progress
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) June 26, 2025
Cameron green shouldn't be batting at 3, just keep him at 6 🏏
— duane simpson (@duanes1986) June 26, 2025
Can we stop picking Cameron Green. He is an absolute shambles. Lots of lessons to be learned. #WIvAUS
— Tevan D'Souza (@tevand95) June 26, 2025
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