West Indies call for penalties over umpire blunders after Hazlewood runs riot to seal first Test victory

A dizzying spell by Josh Hazlewood fired Australia to a dominant first Test victory - but after the match the West Indies launched into another stinging attack on umpires, calling for official penalties.

The West Indies have doubled down on their criticism of the officiating during the first Test, with captain Roston Chase claiming that umpires are not held accountable for errors.

A day after their coach Daren Sammy took the extraordinary step of questioning the integrity of third umpire Adrian Holdstock, Chase said that umpires should be penalised for “blatant” errors.

Chase and teammate Shai Hope - the top-scorers in the Windies’ first innings - both fell to questionable decision review systemcalls made by Holdstock on day two of the Windies’ 159-run loss to Australia at Kensington Oval.

“It’s frustrating, because as players, when we mess up, when we get out of line, we are penalised harshly,” Chase said.

Roston Chase has called for match officials to be penalised for on-field blunders. Picture: Getty

“Sometimes we’re even banned. It might be in terms of a monetary fine or something, but the officials, nothing ever happens to them. I mean, they just have a wrong decision or questionable decision, and life just goes on.

“I mean, you’re talking about guys’ careers. One bad decision could make or break a guy’s career. So I just think that it should be an even playing ground in terms of when players step on the line, they’re penalised. I think that there should be some penalty put in place where you have blatant decisions going against you.

“And I think it was a big factor in the game, because you see what batters can do when they get in, and me and Hope are going well, and then we just had some calls that went against us. And, I mean, we even had a catch that went against us in the in the first innings when we were bowling. So you never know what the score could have been. But I don’t want to harp on it.”

Alex Carey's contentious catch

Chase’s claim is dubious given Trinidadian Joel Wilson lost his place on the ICC elite panel early this year after having the highest percentage of DRS decisions overturned of any umpire on the panel in 2024.

Sammy said he had taken the matter to match referee Javagal Srinath, but Chase was unsure what came of that meeting.

The Windies dropped seven catches across the Test, including five from the bowling of star Shamar Joseph, who still took nine wickets for the match.

Shamar Joseph walks off after taking a five-wicket haul. Picture: Getty

Chase suggested the Windies fielders in the cordon were succumbing to nerves.

“There’s nothing I can say to justify the guys dropping the catches. I mean we’ve been working hard on the slip catches everyday. We try to take at least 30 to 40 catches. But I mean practice and in the game is a big difference. The ball, the ball comes off the bat differently, with a genuine edge than when we are practicing. But, I mean, that’s the best we can do right now in terms of practicing.

“But I just think is more a belief. I think you just have to always have that belief when you’re in the slips, because fromthe time one goes down, I think guys tend to get a bit nervous, and second guess their catching ability, and sometimes itcan throw you off. But I mean, like any other fielding position, once you put one down, you have to look forward to takingthe next one. That’s all I can say.”

HAZLEWOOD ANNIHILATES WEST INDIES TO SECURE AUSSIE VICTORY

Australia has claimed a thumping win in the first Test after Josh Hazlewood ran through the West Indies at Kensington Oval.

From a perilous position at 4-92 starting day three - leading by just 82 runs - Australia dominated proceedings in Barbados, restoring order with a ruthless pace display that followed a middle order fightback.

Chasing 301 to beat Australia in a home Test for the first time since 2003, the Windies lost 7-39 before Shamar Joseph - already with nine wickets for the match - rode his luck, slogged his way to 44.

With the light towers already in effect, Nathan Lyon finally removed Joseph and Jayden Seales in consecutive balls, with the Windies bowled out for 141. It secured Australia a 159-run win inside three days, with play ending at 6:13pm, 73 minutes after the scheduled stumps.

Half-centuries from Travis Head, Beau Webster and Alex Carey helped haul the tourists to a second innings 310, as bounce became increasingly variable on a deck that had troubled batters for most of the three days.

Mitchell Starc claimed the early wicket of Kraigg Brathwaite for four, before the Windies appeared to steady as John Campbell and Keacy Carty put on 43 for the second wicket, Carty the beneficiary of a drop by Cameron Green at gully.

However Hazlewood took control, picking up four wickets in quick succession from the Joel Garner End as the feeble hosts capitulated.

Josh Hazlewood was a huge contributor to the West Indies collapse. Picture: Randy Brooks / AFP

Even dropped for this match, Marnus Labuschagne was not to be denied a say, effecting a direct hit run out from mid-off to remove Alzarri Joseph for a duck.

Hazlewood picked up a fifth as Jomel Warrican nicked off for three to Carey. The umpires allowed Australia an extra 30 minutes to pick up the remaining wickets needed for victory, only for Konstas to drop Joseph at deep midwicket off Hazlewood, who also had an lbw call to remove Justin Greaves overturned.

But despite further drama as a wandering pigeon delayed proceedings, Lyon was allowed to wrap up the tail and ensure Australia a weekend off.

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Originally published as West Indies call for penalties over umpire blunders after Hazlewood runs riot to seal first Test victory