The West Indies cricket board (WICB) suspended coach Phil Simmons with immediate effect on Monday. This decision was made two days after Simmons expressed his grief over the ODI team selected for the Sri Lanka tour.
The WICB chief executive Michael Muirhead sent an e-mail to Simmons regarding his suspension. Simmons was in the UK and was planning to join the team in London, on their way to Sri Lanka.
Former West Indies fast bowler Eldine Baptiste, who is also a national selector has been called up to be an interim coach and will be replacing Simmons for the tour, which begins on October 14.
This series will also be the first for Jason Holder as Test captain.
The West Indies Cricket Board has learnt of the comments from head coach of the West Indies team Phil Simmons in the print and electronic media which appear to question the legitimacy of the selection process of the one-day international squad for the tour of Sri Lanka. As a result, the management of the WICB has taken action to suspend the head coach, pending an investigation into the issue. The head coach will now not travel with the team on the tour of Sri Lanka.
— West Indies Cricket Board Statement
Simmons had revealed that there was interference from outside during the selection process of the ODI squad which kept Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo out of the side.
The selection meeting had taken place last Wednesday.
I think it’s disappointing from the fact that I haven’t got the best 50-over ODI squad that we can select in the Caribbean. The chairman, Mr Lloyd, he came and he gave an exceptional speech saying that he thinks it is time they (Pollard and Bravo) are back in the squad and he gave exceptional reasons for them being back in the squad. Unfortunately, when we went into the selection [meeting] we lost it 3-2. Him and myself – the captain [Holder] doesn’t have a vote in this – but the captain also gave his views as to why they need to be back.
— Phil Simmons
Pollard and Bravo have been left out of the side since they were dropped for the ODI series against South Africa in January, earlier this year.
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