Shamar Joseph Loses Five-Wicket Haul as Third Umpire Overrules Clean Catch, Sparking Controversy

Third umpire Holdstock took his time but, in a surprising decision, ruled Travis Head not out, citing lack of conclusive evidence for a clean catch.

Controversial Third Umpire Decision Denies Shamar Joseph Five-Wicket Haul

Despite little support from his fielders—who dropped four catches on Day 1 of the first Test against Australia in Barbados—Shamar Joseph nearly secured a five-wicket haul. However, a contentious decision by third umpire Adrian Holdstock denied him this milestone.

Joseph, proud of his performance dismantling the Australian top order, bowled a short and wide delivery to Travis Head in the 46th over. Head swung hard but missed, and there was an audible noise as the ball passed the bat. Joseph appealed strongly, but on-field umpire Nitin Menon initially rejected it.

Joseph sought confirmation from wicketkeeper Shai Hope, who was uncertain if the ball had carried. West Indies captain Roston Chase also denied requesting a review, but Menon consulted the square-leg umpire and referred the decision upstairs. The UltraEdge technology showed a clear spike indicating a bottom edge from Head’s bat. The question remained whether the ball had carried to Hope’s gloves.

West Indies players and the crowd at Kensington Oval celebrated after the first replay, but Head believed the ball had bounced. The replays were inconclusive: one suggested the ball carried, while another was unclear. After a lengthy review, Holdstock surprisingly ruled in favor of the batter, stating there was no conclusive evidence that the ball had carried cleanly.

ESPNCricinfo’s live commentary said, “The ball seems to carry through to Hope, but the third umpire (Adrian Holdstock) says there is no conclusive evidence that the ball has carried. Oh my word—this call will be debated long after today, and how big a decision it will prove to be!”

The decision sparked widespread criticism on social media, with many questioning third umpire Holdstock’s call and lamenting Joseph’s missed five-wicket achievement.

*Out or not out?

Shamar Joseph is denied a five-fer by a debatable third umpire call 👀

🔗 [https://t.co/mK2Pq74X7H](https://t.co/mK2Pq74X7H) [pic.twitter.com/RCo9a6gqQz*](https://t.co/RCo9a6gqQz)

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 25, 2025

Head could not inflict more damage as he could only add six more runs to his tally before getting dismissed for 59.

Dominant Bowling Display as Australia Struggles Against West Indies

Joseph, who took four of the first five Australian wickets on a beautiful Barbados pitch on day one, narrowly missed out on a five-wicket haul, but his teammate Jayden Seales achieved the feat instead.

Seales claimed 5-60, his third five-for in Tests, all on home soil, while Shamar Joseph impressed with figures of 4-46. In nine Tests, Joseph has taken 34 wickets, including 17 against Australia, dominating the morning session.

Australia was bowled out for just 180 runs inside 57 overs, their lowest total in the West Indies after opting to bat first. Only three Australian batsmen reached double figures: Usman Khawaja (47), Travis Head (59), and captain Pat Cummins (28).

In response, the Australian fast bowlers fought back strongly, dismissing West Indies at 57 for 4 by stumps. Mitchell Starc took two wickets, while captain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood claimed one wicket each.

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