Daren Sammy fined 15% of his match fees for criticizing third umpire

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has been penalized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday, June 28, after his open criticism of the third umpire Adrian Holdstock during the first Test against Australia in the new World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle in Barbados.

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Moving into the details, Sammy was fined 15% of his match fees for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct on the second day of the first Test. He was found guilty of breaching Article 2.7 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel.

It is related to “public criticism of, or inappropriate comment about an incident occurring in an International Match or any Player, Player Support Personnel, Match Official or team participating in any International Match, irrespective of when such criticism or inappropriate comment is made.”

Shifting our focus to the details, West Indies ended the first Test with a 159-run defeat in a low-scoring affair that concluded in only three days. However, TV umpire Holdstock received a lot of flak from Sammy and captain Roston Chase for the whole duration of the game.

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Interestingly, Chase and batter Shai Hope received questionable calls. Later on Day 2, Sammy went on to question the umpiring decisions, asking for consistency and taking a dig at Holdstock over his decisions.

“You don’t want to get yourself in a situation where you’re wondering about certain umpires. Is there something against this team? But when you see decision after decision, then it raises the question,” Sammy said.

“We are just trying to find some sort of understanding as to what the process is. We only hope for consistency. That’s all we could ask for. When there is doubt about something, just be consistent across the board,” Sammy added.

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“I have noticed, especially with this particular umpire, it’s something that for me started in England. It’s frustrating. I just ask for consistency in the decision-making,” he stated.

Sammy was quick to admit to the offence and accepted the sanction from the ICC match referee Javagal Srinath. Interestingly, a demerit point, his first in 24 months, has also been included.

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