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‘Bewilderment’: Open disgust as four umpire dramas rock Aussies

Four separate incidents have left Aussie cricket commentators in bewilderment on a wild day of play in the West Indies.

Nic Savage
3 min read
June 27, 2025 - 8:11AM

Third umpire Adrian Holdstock was the central figure in four DRS controversies on day two of the Frank Worrell Trophy series opener in Bridgetown, two of which involved West Indies captain Roston Chase.

During the opening over of the day, the West Indies were 4-57, still trailing by 123 runs, when Chase squeezed an in-ducker from Australian seamer Josh Hazlewood towards fine leg for a single.

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Believing the ball had grazed the front pad, Australian skipper Pat Cummins called for a review, with the tourists celebrating after a spike appeared on Ultraedge the frame before the ball struck Chase’s bat.

Even the players were left in bewilderment. Photo: ESPN and X.
Even the players were left in bewilderment. Photo: ESPN and X.

However, the Australians were left baffled when Holdstock handed down a not-out verdict, with Cummins and Hazlewood seeking clarification from the on-field officials.

“Hazlewood was a little bit concerned. He thought there might have been just a little bit of a spike, hitting the pad first,” former Australian batter Greg Blewett said in commentary.

“I actually think the right decision was made.”

Former West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite later explained that Holdstock ignored the spike because it took place between frames on the vision.

“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.”

Chase, unbeaten on 1 when the incident occurred, survived through to lunch unscathed, combining with wicketkeeper Shai Hope for a 67-run partnership for the sixth wicket to swing momentum back in the West Indies’ favour.

However, the right-hander was given out LBW early in the afternoon session after Cummins produced an unplayable delivery that kept low and struck him on the knee roll.

Pat Cummins of Australia appeals for LBW against Roston Chase. Photo by Randy Brooks / AFP
Pat Cummins of Australia appeals for LBW against Roston Chase. Photo by Randy Brooks / AFP

Believing there had been an inside edge, Chase immediately called for a review, but because the bat and pad were close together, there was no obvious spike on Ultraedge, with Holdstock upholding the on-field decision.

Chase departed for 44, but former West Indies bowler Ian Bishop suggested there was a small deviation as the ball passed his bat.

“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.”

Former West Indies seamer Shakeera Selman continued: “It seemed to have taken the inside edge of the bat.

“We all felt there was an edge before it came into contact with the pad.”

The drama didn’t stop there — later in the afternoon session, Hope was dismissed for 48 after Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey held onto a stunning one-handed chance low to his left, caught off the inside edge.

However, the on-field umpires requested for Holdstock to check the grounding, with the third official awarding the dismissal after consulting slow-motion replays that suggested the ball may have touched the ground despite never leaving Carey’s outstretched glove.

West Indies coach Darren Sammy threw his arms up in disgust when the verdict appeared on the big screen, with the crowd also voicing their disbelief.

“The emotions at the ground are a little bit high at the moment,” Blewett said.

“It appears as though it touches the ground.

“I agree with the sentiments of the West Indies dressing room that they feel like they’ve been on the wrong end of some of the calls today.”

Former West Indies spinner Samuel Badree continued: “It’s unfortunate, it really is unfortunate.”

Holdstock was thrown into the spotlight yet again during Australia’s second innings when the West Indies reviewed an LBW decision against Cameorn Green, who was unbeaten on 14.

Slow-motion replays and Ultraedge suggested the ball may have brushed his pad before hitting the bat, but the West Australian survived the marginal chance — much to Sammy’s disappointment.

Holdstock adjudicated that the noise on Ultraedge came from bat hitting back pad, but not everyone was convinced.

Originally published as ‘Bewilderment’: Open disgust as four umpire dramas rock Aussies

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/baffling-open-disgust-as-four-umpire-dramas-rock-aussies/news-story/9417467d99b1de5206e27bcaf9406c20