The Independent Voice of West Indies Cricket

Former WICB president wants Simmons with team in Sri Lanka

Fri, Oct 2, '15

 

WICB Under Scrutiny

Former West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Ken Gordon has called on the Board to be magnaminous and allow suspended coach Phil Simmons to be with the team on its current tour of Sri Lanka.

Admitting that Simmons’ suspension was the right thing for the WICB to do, Gordon said it would be a tremendous morale booster if Simmons was allowed to be with the team in a support or advisory capacity. “We desperately need one.”

Simmons recently criticised the board for what he described as “interference from outside” which led to the omission of Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard from the team on tour in Sri Lanka. He was subsequently suspended.

Gordon said Simmons’ criticism has gained wide support. “The events which followed are ironic for the board and its current president who have lost the respect of the cricketing public, have in recent times failed to take action for indisciplined behavior, from Chris Gayle on more than one occasion, conducted itself in an unprincipled and dishonest manner in its handling of the Patterson Report, demonstrated its inability to give responsible leadership …. by pussyfooting when firm and decisive action was required against the West Indian team for walking off the field in India. And now…. this board suspends Simmons for speaking out of turn.”

“The really terrible irony about the current situation is that suspending Simmons was the right thing to do. Disciplinary action was required in the circumstances.”