In the first Test match being played between Australia and West Indies, there is a discussion about the decisions of the third umpire. In the first match, there has been a continuous disputed decisions in a two -day game. West Indies head coach Darren Sammy has made serious allegations against the third umpire Adrian Holdstock. He has said that such decisions of the umpire are harming the game and creating scope of suspicion.
Four such DRS decisions have been taken so far in the Australia versus West Indies Test in Briddtown, which have been questioned by players, coaches and commentators.
During Australia’s first innings, when the bat of Travis Head hit a light internal edge off Shamar Joseph and wicketkeeper Shai Hope caught the catch, the matter went to the third umpire. Ultra Age was clearly seen hitting the ball with the ball and Hope also caught a soft catch but the third umpire did not say sufficient evidence, calling the head not out.
After this, at the beginning of the second day, Roston Chase was given a knotout after Josh Hazlewood’s appeal. The third umpire at the DRS admitted that the ball was first bang, so he was called notout, but after that in the 50th over, Chase was again given LBW out off Pat Cummins. This time the DRS had spikes on the ultra age, that is, the ball was seen touching the bat, yet the third umpire said that there was a gap between the bat and the ball and Chase was called out. On this decision, the commentator Ian Bishop said on-air that, I do not agree with this decision because the ball is hit by the first bat.
At the same time, after all these decisions, West Indies coach Darren Sammy said clearly after the end of the day’s play, you do not want the verdict to go to the umpires during the match, but when there are such decisions after another, then it is necessary to raise the question. He added that these mistakes have an impact not only on the scoreboard, but also on the defeat and victory of the match.