West Indies suspend coach Phil Simmons over row about Sri Lanka tour squad
Monday 28 September 2015 17:10, UK
West Indies coach Phil Simmons has been suspended with immediate effect after expressing his unhappiness with the ODI squad selected for the tour of Sri Lanka.
Simmons, who was appointed after the World Cup in March, blamed outside interference for not getting the "best 50-over squad" after experienced all-rounders Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard were left out.
Neither player has been part of the ODI squad since being dropped for the series in South Africa in January, but Simmons said he, chairman of selectors Clive Lloyd and skipper Jason Holder were keen on bringing them back into the fold.
However, Simmons and Lloyd were outvoted 3-2 in the selection meeting by Courtney Walsh, Courtney Browne and Eldine Baptiste, prompting Simmons to reveal his disappointment.
He will now not travel with the team to Sri Lanka, with coaching duties passed on to Baptiste, who is a member of the West Indies Cricket Board selection panel.
A WICB statement read: "The West Indies Cricket Board has learnt of the comments from Head Coach of the West Indies team Phil Simmons in the print and electronic media which appear to question the legitimacy of the selection process of the one-day International squad for the Tour of Sri Lanka.
"As a result, the Management of the WICB has taken action to suspend the Head Coach, pending an investigation into the issue.
"The Head Coach will not now travel with the team on the Tour of Sri Lanka."
