Key points
- West Indies drop seven catches
- Chase admits pressure impacted fielding
ISLAMABAD: West Indies captain Roston Chase on Saturday criticised the standard of umpiring during his side’s 159-run defeat to Australia, claiming several questionable decisions had a significant impact on the outcome of the opening Test.
Speaking after the match, Chase voiced his frustration over several key calls that went against the home side, particularly at pivotal moments in the game.
“This match has been incredibly frustrating—for me and for the team—especially after bowling Australia out for a relatively modest total. We were quite pleased with that,” Chase said.
“But there were so many dubious decisions throughout the game, and none seemed to go in our favour. As a player, you’re giving everything, fighting hard—and then nothing goes your way.”
Greater accountability
Chase also echoed growing calls for greater accountability among match officials.
“It’s tough to take because, as players, if we slip up or step out of line, we’re punished quite severely,” he said.
“But when officials make mistakes, nothing seems to happen. A single poor decision can make or break a player’s career. There really ought to be consequences for clear errors.
Dropping catches
However, the West Indies were also guilty of their own shortcomings, most notably in the field, where they dropped seven catches throughout the Test.
“There’s not much I can say to defend the lads dropping those catches,” Chase admitted. “We’ve been working hard in training—taking 30 to 40 catches a day—but match pressure is a different beast.”
“Once one goes down, it can really knock the confidence. But when that happens, you’ve just got to stay focused and be ready to take the next one.”
