West Indies reinstate head coach, but not before public apology

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) said in a statement that Simmons’ reinstatement involved him receiving a letter of reprimand and making a public apology. (Source: Reuters)

West Indies have reinstated Phil Simmons as head coach of their senior squads after he apologised for criticising team selection.

Simmons was suspended in September for questioning the continued omissions of all-rounders Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard, saying he was not getting “the best 50-over ODI squad”.

Eldine Baptiste took over for the tour of Sri Lanka which concludes with a Twenty20 match on Wednesday.

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Sri Lanka won both Tests and all three ODI internationals on the tour.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) said in a statement that Simmons’ reinstatement involved him receiving a letter of reprimand and making a public apology.

“I regret my public outburst during a press conference…and the revelation of the vote that took place at the selection meeting,” said Simmons in an audio apology released by the WICB.

“I extend a public apology to all whom I may have offended. I have personally apologised to my fellow selectors and the WICB and now do so again publicly.

“I am looking forward to putting this behind me and doing the job I enjoy with the West Indies’ senior men’s teams,” said Simmons.

Former West Indies test batsman and Ireland coach Simmons took charge in March and led them to a 1-1 three-test series draw at home against England before suffering a 2-0 series defeat by Australia in the Caribbean.

For tour Down Under, West Indies keep squad intact

The West Indies have named an unchanged 15-man squad for their three-Test tour of Australia, with the main change coming in the reinstatement of head coach Phil Simmons.

Simmons was suspended in September for questioning the continued omissions of all-rounders Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard.

But neither Bravo nor Pollard is included in the squad for Australia, with the selectors opting to keep faith in the same players who have just lost two Tests in Sri Lanka.

Before that, Australia beat West Indies in two Tests in the Caribbean in June.

Allrounder Jason Holder captains the side for Australia, which also includes legspinner Devendra Bishoo, one of the few bright spots from the June series.

Bishoo took 6/80 in the first innings of the first Test in Dominica.

The first Test in Australia will start in Hobart on Dec. 10, followed by further Tests in Melbourne (from Dec. 26) and Sydney (Jan. 3).

Squad: Jason Holder (capt), Kraigg Brathwaite, Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Rajindra Chandrika, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shai Hope, Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Jomel Warrican