Sammy Fined for Breaching ICC Code of Conduct Over Umpire Outburst

West Indies head cricket coach Daren Sammy has been fined 15% of his match fee for a Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct, following his public criticism of TV umpire Adrian Holdstock during the first Test against Australia in Barbados.

The sanction was issued after Sammy voiced his frustration during a post-play media interaction on Day 2, calling for consistency in Decision Review System (DRS) rulings. He specifically highlighted two caught-behind decisions referred to Holdstock: one involving Australia’s Travis Head, who was given not out, and the other involving West Indies’ Shai Hope, who was ruled out. Sammy also referenced two contrasting leg-before-wicket (LBW) referrals, involving Roston Chase and Australia’s Cameron Green, suggesting his team had been on the “sharp end of the stick.”

Sammy was found to have violated Article 2.7 of the Code, which pertains to “public criticism of, or inappropriate comment in relation to an incident occurring in an International Match or any Player, Player Support Personnel, Match Official or team participating in any International Match.”

According to ICC’s press release dated June 28, 2025, one demerit point has also been added to Sammy’s disciplinary record, his first offence in a 24-month period.

Sammy has since admitted to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction.

As mentioned in the said press release, Level 1 offences carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum of a 50% match fee fine, along with one or two demerit points.