West Indies head coach Darren Sammy has been fined 15% of his match fee after he criticised TV umpire Adrian Holdstock publicly for his multiple controversial decision during the first against Australia. West Indies lost to Australia by 159 runs at Kensington Oval in what was the first Test of both the sides in the new World Test Championship cycle. Some controversial decisions were made by TV umpire Holdstock which went against West Indies at key junctures in the game.
Sammy was not happy with these decisions and believed that West Indies were put on the “sharp end of the stick”.
“When there’s doubt in something, just be consistent across the board,” he said. “From the images that we’re seeing, the decisions are not fair enough for both teams... I just want fairness.”
Holdstock gave West Indies wicket-keeper Shai Hope out while Australian batter Travis Head was adjudged not out in similar caught behind appeals where the decision was to be made on whether the ball touched the ground or was taken cleanly by the wicket-keeper.
There was also an lbw appeal against Roston Chase given out even though visuals showed that the ball may have hit the bat's edge before thudding into the pads.
Sammy talked about these decisions as he expressed frustration towards these calls in the post-match press conference.
The 41-year-old Sammy was fined for breaching the ICC’s code of conduct for “public criticism of, or inappropriate comment” toward a match official.
Earlier, West Indies pacer Jayden Seales was also fined 15% of his match fee for his send-off to Australian skipper Pat Cummins on the opening day of the Test match which was Sammy's first in charge of the Windies red ball side.
Despite conceding a 10-run lead, Australia won the first Test by 159 runs to take a 1-0 series lead.
The second Test begins Thursday in Grenada.
