Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey

The first Test between West Indies and Australia is not short of controversy, with third umpire Adrian Holdstock criticised for a number of poor decisions. After West Indies were incorrectly denied a catch behind on day one, the hosts bore the brunt even more on day two, including captain Roston Chase being given out when he clearly inside edged the ball onto pad.

“I disagree with the decision, I disagree with the technology there” said Ian Bishop on commentary. “I thought he hit that, but somehow it’s gone against Roston Chase.”

Bishop went on to say that the clear deviation made it obvious that Chase hit the ball. “If you’ve watched the game long enough, you know when there’s a clear deviation,” he said.

Key Adrian Holdstock decisions as Australia finish day two with lead of 82

The disappointment didn’t end there for West Indies. Alex Carey pulled off a great take off Shai Hope in the 58th over, but replays showed the ball grazed the turf as Carey was completing the catch. Holdstock, however, decided the catch was clean.

In the 25th over of Australia’s second innings, there was a huge LBW shout against Cameron Green. The ball appeared to hit the front pad first, supported by UltraEdge. However, Holdstock decided inside edge only and West Indies lost their review.

While all those decisions went against West Indies, there was one that arguably went in their favour in the 21st over of their innings. There appeared to be a spike on UltraEdge as the ball passed Roston Chase’s front pad off a Josh Hazlewood delivery, before Holdstock concluded it missed the front pad and only an inside edge took place.

Daren Sammy left fuming at the end of play

West Indies coach Daren Sammy did not hold back in his assessment of Adrian Holdstock. Speaking to the media after day two, Sammy even referenced Holdstock’s performances in the recent limited-overs series against England.

“We are just trying to find some sort of understanding as to what the process is,” Sammy said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “We only hope for consistency. That’s all we could ask for. When there is doubt in something, just be consistent across the board.

“I have noticed, especially with this particular umpire, it’s something that for me started in England. It’s frustrating. I just ask for consistency in the decision-making.”

When asked if he was referring to Adrian Holdstock, Sammy replied, “Yeah, look, 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. I know he’s here for the series. You don’t want to go in a Test match having that doubt.

“So I want to have that conversation as to the process… so we could be all clear. Because, at the end of the day, you don’t want to be going into a Test match not trusting the umpires. And that’s not what our team is about. So we’re just looking for some clarity as to the decisions.”

Fans vent their frustration on social media

“We need specialist third umpires,” said well-known and respected analyst Jarrod Kimber. “We have needed specialist third umpires for quite some time. And I’m sick and tired of saying it, and we keep seeing umpires make mistakes.

“What’s happening to the West Indies in this Test against Australia… not only did they just have bad luck in the first innings with their bowling, now they’ve just got umpires making horrendous mistake after horrendous mistake.

“I don’t want to blame an individual umpire because I’ve been saying for ages the issue here is we don’t have specialist third umpires.”

Many other fans took to social media to share their views on what was a controversial day’s play. Here are some of the reactions on X (formerly Twitter).

Australia’s top order struggled once again as they lost four wickets cheaply in the second innings. They finished day two on 92/4, leading by just 82 as the West Indies seek to achieve their second-straight Test win over the Australians.

Adrian Holdstock himself will be looking for a much improved performance on day three as the spotlight is on him as much it is the players.