Simmons committed to Windies revival
Friday, July 24 2015
WEST INDIES cricket team coach Phillip Simmons has pledged to do whatever is necessary to improve the standing of the regional team on the world stage.
Simmons, an outstanding TT and West Indies all-rounder, was speaking at an intimate gathering of cricket officials and his former TT team colleagues hosted by the TT Cricket Board at the National Cricket Centre in Couva, earlier this week.
He said he was happy to be back home for a short stay after being away for 12 years, and thanked the TTCB for their thoughtful gesture which he appreciated very much.
“It’s pleasing to be appreciated and important for me to remember where I came from and to see so many of my former colleagues,†said Simmons to the hosts, TTCB president Azim Bassarath and members of his executive and excited guests.
Those present included TTCB General-Secretary Arjoon Ramlal, Treasurer Sukesh Maniam, 3rd Vice-president Patrick Rampersad, Chief Executive Officer Suruj Ragoonath, National Team Coach Kelvin Williams, former national players Eugene Antoine and Aniel Rajah, and Women’s Cricket Association officials Jocelyn Francois Opadeyi, Anne Browne-John and Ingrid Maxwell.
Simmons, 52, was appointed coach of the WI team in March, signing a three- year contract following an impressive eight-year stint with the Ireland cricket which be catapulted into the world spotlight and earned the respect of all. During that time, Ireland won 11 trophies, qualified for every major ICC event, and achieved victories over Pakistan and Bangladesh at the 2007 World Cup, England at the 2011 World Cup and the West Indies and Zimbabwe at the 2015 World Cup.
“Everyone wants to see West Indies at the top of the ladder and I am trying to help as much as I can to see this happens but everyone in the region must play their part to ensure that this happens,†he said.
Local cricket chief Bassarath revealed that together with Baldath Mahabir, the two TT delegates on the West Indies Cricket Board, Simmons had their wholehearted support to take up the demanding job.
“We know that he was the right person and I am certain that at the end of the three-year contract we will see a marked improvement in the fortunes of the West Indies team in all forms of the game,†said Bassarath proudly.
The TTCB president pledged that the WICB will provide the new coach with the tools and the authority that he requires to make the transformation which he warned will not be quick but the TTCB is hopeful of a positive outcome under his stewardship.
Bassarath said that the TTCB also acknowledged and honoured other TT notables including Denesh Ramdin, when he was appointed regional test captain; Dwayne Bravo as T20 captain; and Merissa Aguilleria, the WI women’s team skipper. Former national batsman Rajah paid tribute to Simmons and welcomed the opportunity to “shake a glass†with the new coach after spending so much time as a colleague on the field with him. “This is a special occasion and I am pleased to be here to reunite with Phil who has been a very busy man over the past 12 years. I am totally impressed with his ability and skills as no one took him on when he started to coach Ireland who he made into a world force,†said Rajah.
He said while he didn’t envy Simmons in his new job, he was confident that the former explosive batsman and superb slip catcher and outfielder would crack the “hard nuts†and make the regional team into a consistent winning unit once again.
Manager of the WI women’s team, Browne-John, speaking on behalf of the local women’s federation, congratulated Simmons on his appointment and acknowledged the enormity of the task he has been given from the experience she has had in moulding those under her charge.
“We have all admired Phil and are optimistic that the difference he made to the Ireland team will be successfully transferred to the regional cricketers, which we are already seeing,†said Browne-John.
