Chase calls out 'so many questionable calls' in Barbados Test

West Indies' new captain Roston Chase has doubled down on criticism of umpiring decisions that went against his team during the opening Test against Australia, believing they had a significant impact on the outcome of the game.

Coach Daren Sammy came out strongly after the second day's play and raised concerns about the work of TV umpire Adrian Holdstock. The major decisions to anger West Indies were the dismissals of Chase, lbw when there was a possible inside edge, and Shai Hope to a brilliant catch from Alex Carey after the pair had put together a 67-run stand which took West Indies to 139 for 5 in reply to Australia's 180. There was also a caught-behind decision against Travis Head on the opening they felt should have been out.

The contest remained even at the start of the third day when Australia led by just 82 with six wickets in hand but it turned into a comprehensive 159-run defeat for West Indies.

"This game is a frustrating one for me and for the team because we bowled out Australia for a relatively low score. We were very happy with that," Chase said. "But then there were so many questionable calls in the game and none of them went our way. I mean, as a player, you're out there, you're giving your all, you're fighting. And then nothing is going your way.

"It could be heartbreaking. You see what set batters can do on the wicket. The wicket is one where once you get in, you can get runs, but the hardest part is to get in. Me and Shai Hope were going well and then, obviously, we had some questionable calls. That really set us back in terms of creating a big lead on the total that Australia set."

"It's clear to see anyone would feel bad or feel hurt about those decisions. You're out there playing to win, giving it your all and it seems like everyone is against you."

Chase called for more accountability on umpires for poor decisions, although the ICC has an annual assessment process in place which can see international umpires removed from the elite panel based on performance.

"It's frustrating because as players, when we mess up, when we get out of line, we're penalised harshly," Chase said. "But the officials, nothing ever happens to them. They just have a wrong decision or questionable decision and life just goes on.

"You're talking about guys' careers. One bad decision could make or break a guy's career. I just think that it should be an even playground in terms of when players step out of line, they're penalised. I think that there should be some penalty put in place when you have blatant decisions going against you.

"I think it was a big factor in the game because me and Hope were going well. We even had a catch that went against us 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."

The catch referred to by Chase was when Head, on 53, edged through to Hope where it was taken low down and Holdstock ruled it not out. Head only added a further six runs. Australia, meanwhile, thought they should have had an lbw against Chase in the first over of the second day but it was ruled to be an inside edge.

Pat Cummins said there would be no issues raised about the umpiring from the Australians. "We appeal [and] if we think it's close, use DRS and leave the rest up to the umpires," he said. "In some games, there's a lot of 50-50 calls. Today we missed a few 50-50 calls that went against us. I think it's cricket. I think it all balances itself out."

Both Chase and Sammy would appear to run the risk of ICC sanction for the comments about the match officials.

Unlike umpiring decisions, something squarely in West Indies' control is their catching and in Barbados they shelled seven chances, the last of them early on the third day when Head was dropped by Justin Greaves at second slip on 21 with Australia's lead only 97.

"There's nothing I can say to justify the guys dropping the catches," Chase, who spilled one himself on the first day, said. "We've been working hard on the slip catches. Every day, we try to take at least 30 to 40 catches. But practice and in the game is a big difference.

"I just think it's more a belief. From the time one goes down, I think guys tend to get a bit nervous and second guess their catching ability, and sometimes it can throw you off. But once you put one down, you have to look forward to taking the next one."