West Indies sack head coach Phil Simmons owing to differences in strategic approach

Kingston: West Indies head coach Phil Simmons has been fired, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) confirmed on Tuesday, drawing a line under a stormy tenure marked by tensions with his paymasters. A brief statement from the WICB said a decision to dispense with Simmons was taken after a meeting of the body’s board of directors on Saturday. [caption id=“attachment_2731900” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of West Indies coach Phil Simmons. Getty Images[/caption] The 53-year-old former Test opener was informed of the decision as the West Indies prepared to travel to the United Arab Emirates, where they are to face Pakistan in a T20 series. “Effectively immediately, the WICB today announced it has separated from the Head Coach Phil Simmons,” the WICB said in a statement. It said the decision had been taken because of “differences in culture and strategic approach” between the board and Simmons. “The WICB would therefore like to thank the coach for his contribution and wishes him the best in his future endeavours,” the statement added. Simmons departure leaves Joel Garner as manager of the upcoming series against Pakistan, with Henderson Springer and Roddy Estwick as coaches. Simmons was appointed on a three-year contract in March 2015. His reign encompassed the West Indies’ remarkable T20 World Cup triumph. However despite that high point, strains between Simmons and the WICB often bubbled beneath the surface, most notably in 2015, when he complained about the selection of the squad for a one-day series against Sri Lanka. He was suspended after complaining of “interference” in the selection process, before eventually being reinstated after a reprimand. Simmons’ departure continues a steady clear-out of the coaching staff that helped the West Indies capture the T20 World Cup. Both Darren Sammy and Curtly Ambrose were eased out of their coaching jobs earlier this year. Simmons’ success in the T20 arena however was not mirrored in Test cricket. During his reign the West Indies won only one of 14 Tests, with the most recent defeats coming in a 2-0 series loss against India.