West Indies Captain Chase Demands Umpire Accountability After Contentious Test Loss to Australia

West Indies Captain Seeks Umpire Accountability After Test Defeat

Roston Chase, the captain of the West Indies cricket team, is advocating for increased accountability among match officials following their 159-run loss to Australia in the first Test held in Barbados. Chase voiced significant concerns regarding several contentious umpiring decisions that he believes negatively impacted his team's performance.

Roston Chase felt his team's efforts were undermined by umpiring. © AFP

Chase expressed his frustration, stating, "It's frustrating because as players, when we mess up or we do stuff that people don't like, we're penalized harshly, but the officials, nothing ever happens to them. They just have a wrong decision or questionable decision and life just goes on. So, it's a bit unfair."

He further emphasized the potential impact of these decisions on players' careers: "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 penalized. I think that there should be some penalty put in place when you have blatant decisions going against you."

The West Indies captain highlighted his team's success in dismissing Australia for a modest 180 runs, only to have their momentum disrupted by controversial calls. Key moments included his own dismissal, adjudged leg before wicket (lbw), and Shai Hope's dismissal, given caught behind.

Chase lamented, "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, 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."

He elaborated on the significance of set batsmen on the Barbados wicket: "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."

Chase concluded, "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."

Earlier in the match, West Indies head coach Daren Sammy also raised concerns regarding the consistency of TV umpire Adrian Holdstock.