Former Windies coach hints at return to helm of Caribbean team

Former West Indies coach Phil Simmons has hinted at returning to the Caribbean side for a second stint after his first was cut short by former Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Dave Cameron. Speaking on I95 FM in Trinidad and Tobago recently, Simmons who coached the Windies to the 2016 World Twenty20 title, says following a meeting with new CWI president Ricky Skeritt a move back to the regional side is not out of the question.

“All that was said is that they hope this hasn’t tarnished my desire to help West Indies cricket and at the end of the day it hasn’t. Sunday (AGM and election result) from my perspective is the best thing to happen to West Indies cricket since the 1979 World Cup. They’ve opened the door and I’ll see where it takes us,” said Simmons.  Simmons was suspended by the board in 2016 after he publicly complained about outside interference in the selection of the West Indies team.

He was then sacked by the board before the end of his contract and only a week ago came to an amicable settlement with CWI West Indies, following the election of Skerritt. During the interview, Simmons spoke about one instance where the selectors were challenged by the board and the president.

“I remember Eldine Baptiste, Courtney Walsh (former selectors) and myself having lunch and the vice president Emmanuel Nanthan comes and said we must play Shiv (Chanderpaul). We stood our ground and we said no we can’t change that because this is how we feel as a selection committee. The next morning Clive Lloyd (then Chairman of Selectors) gets a call from the president (Dave Cameron) saying we are putting Shiv on a plane and we are bringing him here and you have to play him,” revealed Simmons.

Simmons' contract with Afghanistan expires following the ICC 50 Over World Cup and the Trinidadian says the focus at the moment is on that.