Roston Chase Slams Umpires: 'Our Careers Are On Line But Nothing Happens To Them'
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In a scathing assessment, WI captain Roston Chase has questioned why umpires are not punished enough for their mistakes when their decisions can decide the players' careers.
West Indies' Test captain Roston Chase didn't mince words over the controversial umpiring decisions during his side's 159-run loss to Australia in the first of the three-Test series in Barbados. Calling it 'heartbreaking', and 'frustrating', he questioned why no action was taken on umpires for their wrong calls, compared to how players are 'penalised harshly' when they make mistakes.
TV umpire Adrian Holdstock was at the centre of the controversy as at least half a dozen of his decisions set social media ablaze. Chase had two of those 50-50 calls, one he survived and the other he didn't. But the most crucial one was Shai Hope getting out for 48 in the second innings after Alex Carey's reflex catch to the left.
The on-field umpires left it to Holdstock to decide. Replays showed that the ball probably brushed the grass while still in Carey's gloves, but the TV umpire gave the dismissal. With both Chase and Hope failing to go past their 50s, West Indies managed a small 10-run lead, which wasn't enough to keep them in the game.
'It's frustrating because as players, when we mess up, when we get out of line, we're penalised harshly," Chase said in the post-match press conference. 'But the officials, nothing ever happens to them. They just have a wrong decision or questionable decision and life just goes on," he added.
'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," he added.
Chase pointed out to Hope's similar catch against Travis Head in the first innings which Holdstock ruled in the batter's favor and remarked that such calls made them feel that 'everyone is against you'.
'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," Chase added. '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 added.
Chase's comments follow his coach Darren Sammy's approach to match referee Javagal Srinath during the Test. Sammy had directly questioned the TV umpire, suggesting it wasn't the first time he felt that the South African had made such decisions in a game involving the West Indies.
Cummins plays down the issue
On the other hand, Australia captain Pat Cummins played down the controversy.
'We appeal (and) if we think it's close, use DRS and leave the rest up to the umpires," Cummins said. 'In some games, there's a lot of 50-50 calls. Today we missed a few 50-50 calls that went against us. I think it's cricket. I think it all balances itself out."
After Sammy's press conference on Friday, Mitchell Starc had also attributed the issue to the technology.
First Published:
June 28, 2025, 11:37 IST
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