Holder wants coach Simmons back quickly

Wed, Oct 7, '15

COLOMBO—West Indies cricket captain Jason Holder yesterday said that the suspension of coach Phil Simmons from the team currently in Sri Lanka was a setback for the team.

Holder, 23, who leads the West Indies in a test series for the first time in a team without top players like Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, said he is hoping that Simmons returns soon. “No doubt it is a bit of a setback for us, but at this present stage all we can focus on is cricket,” he said.

“I hope the situation with him is solved, and solved quickly because we’d love to have him back. He’s been a wonderful inspiration to our team thus far.”

Simmons is suspended pending an inquiry after his criticism of selection of the limited-overs side for the Sri Lanka tour. Selection committee member Eldine Baptiste has taken over coaching responsibilities in the interim.