Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Tuesday announced that Phil Simmons has decided to step down as Head Coach of the West Indies Men’s team following their first-round exit from the ongoing T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia. Simmons will leave his job after the upcoming two-match Test series against Australia, CWI confirmed.
West Indies, the two-times champion of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, were knocked out after losses to Scotland and Ireland, finishing bottom of the table in Group B.
In the do-or-die encounter for the Super-12 spot, the Windies could only post 146-5 on the board, a total Ireland chased down for the loss of one wicket.
“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.
“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 President has pointed out, we will also carry out the necessary review into our World Cup campaign.”
He added: “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.”
Simmons was at the helm in 2016 when the Men in Maroon won their second T20 World Cup title defeating England in the final at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
