SPORTS
Come on Beckles
WEST INDIES men’s cricket team coach Phil Simmons has resigned.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) confirmed the coach’s departure in a media statement on Monday.
Simmons’ departure came days after the regional team failed to make it past the International Cricket Council T20 World Cup qualifiers in Australia. In his most recent coaching stint, Simmons led the regional team from 2019-2022. He was previously the coach of the team from 2015-2016.
However, Simmons will have one last hurray as he remains in charge for the two-match Test series against Australia from November 30 to December 12.
Simmons apologized for the team’s poor showing in World Cup qualifiers, which saw defeats to Scotland and Ireland.
“I recognize that it is not only the team that is hurting, but also the proud nations that we represent,” Simmons said. “It’s disappointing and heartbreaking, but we just didn’t show up. We weren’t good enough and now we have to watch a tournament played without our involvement. It is incomprehensible and for that I deeply apologize to our fans and followers.”
Simmons said his decision to step down was not just because of the disastrous World Cup campaign.
“From a personal perspective, this is not a knee-jerk reaction, but a move I have been considering for some time and now is the time to make it public that I will be stepping down as West Indies coach at the end of the Test series against. Australia. It is earlier than expected but I will now focus my energies in Australia on continuing to build on the excellent progress the Test team has made. Of course, as the president has pointed out, we will also make the necessary review in our World Cup campaign.”
Simmons said he enjoyed his tenure and the support he received from his staff. “I have to say that I have enjoyed aspects of the unique challenge that being West Indies coach offers and the unwavering support of my management team. There remain some outstanding individuals within the CWI who I firmly believe will continue to work in the best interest of West Indies cricket.
CWI President Ricky Skerritt thanked Simmons for his service.
“On behalf of the CWI I would like to thank Phil for his hard work and dedication to West Indies cricket, most recently in his role as coach,” Simmons said.
“Phil is a proud West Indian with high ideals and has never lacked motivation to guide our young players on and off the field of play. He brought valuable experience and stability to a very important period of transformation, including the more challenging environment of the Covid19 pandemic. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”
In an interview on SportsMax Zone on Monday, CWI CEO Johnny Grave said after discussions it was decided to give Simmons one last chance to coach the Test team for the series in Australia.
Grave said, “Jimmy Adams, our director of cricket, spoke to Phil about his motivation, energy and appetite to go and do that ultimate task. I know Jimmy also spoke to Kraigg Brathwaite our Test captain and captain of Test gave his approval for Phil stayed and believed it would give the team the best possible chance in Australia.”
Asked if people can expect more resignations, Graves said the next two weeks will be about reflection and soul-searching.
HIGH
Simmons was at the helm in 2016 when West Indies won their second ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title by defeating England at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India. Earlier this year he guided the team to a hard-fought 1-0 Test series victory over England on home soil to lift the Richards-Botham Trophy and in June a Test series win against Bangladesh in their exit of last.
West Indies have shown potential in the Test format since 2019 under Simmons. The West Indies played ten Test series with Simmons in charge – winning four, losing four and drawing two.
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However, the regional team has been unimaginable in the T20 and ODI formats. Over the past few months West Indies have struggled at home in the ODI format losing the three-match series to Bangladesh, India and New Zealand.
West Indies suffered 3-0 drubbings against Bangladesh and India and lost 2-1 to New Zealand. West Indies’ form in T20 cricket at home has been equally disappointing over the past few months. West Indies beat Bangladesh 2-0 in a three-match series but lost 4-1 to India in a five-match series and 2-1 to New Zealand in a three-match series.
The West Indies are also likely to miss out on automatic qualification for the 50-Over World Cup in India next year.
