WI vs AUS 2025: ‘I don’t hold grudges’ – Daren Sammy after umpiring row in Barbados

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy confirmed that match officials have acknowledged errors were made during the first Test in Barbados. However, he emphasised that he holds no grudges against Adrian Holdstock, who was the TV umpire for that match and is set to serve as an on-field umpire in the upcoming Test in Grenada.

Former West Indies captain was fined 15% of his match fee and received a demerit point after publicly questioning the umpiring decisions, particularly those involving Roston Chase and Shai Hope. He also expressed ongoing concerns that came from the recent tour of England. Chase was also critical of the officiating following the match, but he has not faced any sanction from the ICC yet.

“I said I wouldn’t want my players to do that press conference because of the questions I think that would have been posted at them. I strongly believed in what I said,” Sammy said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“We’ve had further chats [with the officials]. They’ve clarified some stuff. There has been some admission of error as well. This was Barbados and we’re now in Grenada, so we’ve left that behind. I don’t hold grudges. I said what I said, based on what I saw. I’ve been punished for it. I wish Adrian all the best, to be honest. I mean, we’re all human. I have nothing against the umpires. I really wish he has an awesome game,” he added.

Australia have stayed away from any controversy surrounding the umpiring. However, wicketkeeper Alex Carey admitted he was concerned that his diving catch to dismiss Hope might be ruled not out after he saw the replays on the big screen.

“I thought it was out straightaway, yes. I wasn’t confident it was going to stay out when I saw the replay, to be honest. It’s been a really difficult shift in the third umpiring in what’s out and what’s not out. Your opinion is different from my opinion,” Carey said.

“I thought that was a pretty difficult game, to have five, six, seven 50-50 examples for the third umpire. He’s not going to please everyone up there, but I thought he did a really good job. We obviously know the other side and the other camp was a little bit disappointed with some of them. I understand that. But I did think it was out. I never thought I fumbled the ball or had any reason to question the decision. It was a pleasing one to take. A good batter as well, who was scoring some runs,” he concluded.