After a humiliating 159-run defeat to Australia in the first Test at Barbados, West Indies captain Roston Chase didn’t mince words when addressing what he saw as a string of poor umpiring decisions. Clearly disappointed with how the match unfolded, Chase demanded greater responsibility from match officials and called for fair treatment between players and umpires.

Roston Chase questions umpire accountability with strong call for equal treatment of players and officials

Speaking candidly at the post-match press conference, Chase expressed his frustration over the lack of accountability for match officials, highlighting that players often face harsh penalties for their mistakes, while umpires and referees seemingly go unpunished for poor or questionable decisions.

He emphasized the high stakes involved, noting that a single wrong call can significantly impact a player’s career. Chase called for a level playing field where officials, like players, are also held responsible for errors that can influence match outcomes and individual careers.

“It’s frustrating because as players, when we mess up or we do stuff that people don’t like, we’re penalised harshly. But the officials—nothing ever happens to them. They just have a wrong decision or questionable decision and life just goes on. So, it’s a bit unfair in my estimation,” said Chase in the post-match presser.

“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,” he added.

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Chase vents frustration over momentum-killing decisions and emotional toll on team

Chase reflected on the emotional toll of the match, describing it as deeply frustrating for both him and the West Indies team.

He pointed out that despite bowling out Australia for a modest total and being in a strong position, a series of questionable umpiring decisions derailed their momentum. The Barbados-born cricketer emphasized how disheartening it is for players who give their all on the field, only to feel let down by calls that go against them, especially at crucial moments.

“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, 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,” the 33-year-old explained.

The Windies skipper highlighted that the pitch was challenging early on but rewarding once a batter settled, and he believed that the controversial decisions—particularly during his and Shai Hope’s partnership—prevented them from building a significant lead. The sense of being up against not just the opposition but also the officiating left the team feeling demoralized.

“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 concluded.