Cricket West Indies (CWI) have confirmed that the team’s head coach Phil Simmons will leave his role following the team’s abysmal showing in the T20 World Cup.
He will stay in charge until the two-test match series against Australia which is scheduled for November and December this year.
Simmons addressed the issue in a statement issued by the board.
“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.”
West Indies, the only team to have won the T20 World Cup multiple times missed out on the Super 12 stage after finishing bottom of their group. They were beaten by Scotland and Ireland and only managed a solitary win over Zimbabwe.
Their loss came as a surprise to many, despite the absences of familiar faces, as Phil Simmons had already guided West Indies to its second title in 2016.
He took over the coaching duties for a second stint in 2019 which saw the side improve in the red-ball format with wins over England and Bangladesh earlier this year, the former of which led to the dismissal of Joe Root as captain, but they never regained their swagger in the shortest format of the game.
