A lively second day in Bridgetown put third umpire Adrian Holdstock at the centre of attention, with four referrals – two of them overturned – shaping the flow of a finely balanced Test between West Indies and Australia.
45.2 overs: Joseph v Head – ‘no conclusive evidence’
Travis Head, on 12, chopped a length ball from Shamar Joseph into Joshua da Silva’s gloves. The bowler celebrated, the keeper hesitated, and on-field umpires sent it upstairs. UltraEdge confirmed a nick, but side-on footage was inconclusive on whether the ball carried. “There is no conclusive evidence the ball has carried,” Holdstock said. Head survived; Australia, already 1-0 up in the series, knew they had avoided an early blow.
20.6 overs: Hazlewood v Chase – review lost
Roston Chase inside-edged Josh Hazlewood past the stumps and scampered a single. Pat Cummins reviewed, believing pad had come first. Replays showed a clear edge then pad: “Inside edge first,” ruled Holdstock, and Australia forfeited a review. Cummins later admitted on the broadcast, “We thought it was a chance, but the pictures were pretty clear.”
49.2 overs: Cummins v Chase – lbw upheld
Cummins came around the wicket, hit a patch of variable bounce and thudded the ball into Chase’s back pad. Given out on field, Chase reviewed straight away, convinced of wood on leather. UltraEdge showed two faint murmurs. Holdstock asked for several replays – “rock and roll it again, please” – before concluding: “No bat involved.” Ball-tracking had it crashing into middle stump; Chase, out for 40, shook his head but walked. Former West Indies quick Ian Bishop, commentating, called it “tight but fair”.
57.3 overs: Webster v Hope – low catch stands
Beau Webster jagged one back at Shai Hope; Alex Carey flung himself left to grab a one-handed chance. Question: did any part of the ball touch the turf as glove met ground? Holdstock ruled the catch clean. “It’s securely in the glove all the way,” he told the on-field officials. Hope had already crossed the boundary rope, signalling he was satisfied. “Sometimes the keeper’s reaction tells you everything,” Webster said later.
Context and early analysis
After two days the match remains delicately poised, the surface offering both carry and occasional uneven bounce. Australia’s seamers have pressed consistently, yet West Indies’ middle order has shown resolve. The Decisions Review System, meanwhile, continues to highlight cricket’s fine margins. As Bishop noted, “Technology helps, but judgement is still required – and not everyone will agree every time.”
Players on both sides accepted the rulings without visible dissent. It may not silence the commentary-box debate, but it does underline a professional respect for the process – even on a day when the television official earned almost as many mentions as the bowlers.
