Former West Indies player Phil Simmons, who was controversially sacked as head coach following the 2016 T20 World Cup win in India, was reinstated in his position for a four-year spell by the Cricket West Indies board of directors on Monday (October 14).
At the time, Simmons didn't hesitate in suing the Dave Cameron-led CWI board regime for unfair treatment before accepting an apology with an undisclosed amount of his contract to put an end to the case earlier this year.
Simmons, who just recently guided Barbados Tridents towards the CPL 2019 title, also coached Afghanistan up until the World Cup in UK. He previously shepherded Ireland from 2007-15, helping the emerging cricket nation qualify for three successive ODI World Cups.
"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," CWI president Ricky Skerritt was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. "I want to also thank the very talented Floyd Reifer for the hard work he put in while he was the interim coach."
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CWI's director of cricket Jimmy Adams, who was part of the interview recruitment process of bringing back Simmons, is also quite pleased with the development. "I am happy, after a very robust recruitment process at the appointment of Phil to the role of Head Coach," he said. "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."
CWI also announced three new selection panels, for the men's, women's and girls', and the boys' teams.
West Indies men's team is due to travel to India to face Afghanistan in a full tour next month when the women's team hosts India for three ODIs and five T20Is starting November 1 as well.
The U-19 boys will take part in a 50-over tri-series also involving Sri Lanka and England in December in the build-up to the ICC U-19 World Cup in South Africa in January 2020.
(Inputs from ESPNcricinfo)
