Simmons returns as West Indies head coach

“Phil Simmons was confirmed as the Head Coach during a meeting of the CWI Board of Directors today, following the conclusion of a short but intensive recruitment process,” announced Cricket West Indies, the sport’s regional governing body, in a release today.

Simmons, a former West Indies player, served previously for a short period as head coach of the West Indies senior men’s team, during which he guided them to the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup title, following which he was controversially dismissed. He served since as the head coach of Afghanistan, who he helped qualify for the first time for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. His tenure as head coach of Ireland saw them improve their ICC rankings and qualify for all major ICC events. Simmons’ latest coaching success came just two days ago when he coached the Barbados Tridents to the 2019 Hero Caribbean Premier League title with an impressive victory over the Guyana Amazon Warriors in Saturday’s final.

Commenting on the reappointment Cricket West Indies president Ricky Skerritt said: “Bringing Phil Simmons back is not just righting a past wrong, but I am confident that CWI has chosen the right man for the job at the right time. I want to also thank the very talented Floyd Reifer for the hard work he put in while he was the interim coach.”

CWI’s Director of cricket Jimmy Adams added: “I am happy, after a very robust recruitment process at the appointment of Phil to the role of head coach. I have no doubt that Phil brings the requisite leadership skills and experience needed to drive improvement across our international squads and I look forward to supporting him in the role.”