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Former West Indies all-rounder Phil Simmons will step down from his position as West Indies head coach after his team’s unsatisfactory performance which resulted in their early exit from the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, in Australia.
West Indies finished last in Group B and failed to qualify for the Super 12 stage after losing two matches out of three against Scotland and Ireland in their first and third game respectively. Their only win came in the second game where they defeated Zimbabwe by 31 runs in Hobart, on October 17.
His last assignment as head coach of the Caribbean team will be the two-match Test series against Australia from November 30 to December 12.
59-year-old Simmons has been in charge of the West Indies over two separate stints since 2015 and was with the team when he led the Caribbean side to their second T20 World Cup title at Eden Gardens in Kolkata in 2016.
“I acknowledge that it’s not just the team that is hurting but the proud nations we represent as well. It’s disappointing and heart wrenching but we just didn’t turn up. We weren’t good enough and we now have to watch a tournament play-out without our involvement. It’s unfathomable and for that, I deeply apologise to our fans and followers,” Simmons said in a statement released by CWI on Monday night.
“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 public that I will step down as West Indies head coach at the end of the Test series against Australia. It is earlier than hoped for, 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 (CWI) president has pointed out, we will also carry out the necessary review into our World Cup campaign,” he added.
During his tenure, the Test team’s results have gradually improved with a hard-fought 1-0 series win against England on home soil earlier this year followed by a test series victory in June against Bangladesh.
However, West Indies have disappointed in T20Is, a format in which they are known to dominate, after early exits in the last two World Cups, losing four games out of five in 2021 and two out of three in Australia last week.
Simmons appreciated his team management for their constant support saying, “I must say I have enjoyed aspects of the unique challenge that being West Indies Head Coach provides and the unwavering support of my Management Team. There remain some exceptional individuals within CWI who I firmly believe will continue to work in the best interests of West Indies cricket.”
Ricky Skerritt, the president of CWI said, “On behalf of CWI I want to thank Phil for his hard work and dedication to West Indies cricket, most recently in his role as Head Coach. Phil is a proud West Indian, with high ideals and has never lacked motivation in guiding our younger players on and off the field of play.
“He brought valuable experience and stability at a very important period of transformation, including the most challenging environment of the COVID-19 pandemic. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”
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