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.

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Don't expect Holder to last too long as West Indies skipper; He has too much of an independent streak & with a mind of his own.

How long will the WICB tolerate someone who is evidently unwilling to be part of its Amen Corner?

In reply to jacksprat

You can say that again.

Holder gaawn.

Holder is gone indeed

What he says is powerful

The absence is Simmo is a setback
The foisting of baptiste is a setback

Goodbye Holder.

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

Expect Holder to now be suspended..jokes...RIP WI cricket...fork u Dave Cameron, Wavell & Pybus

he thinks he is a winning cappo already? look youth man build up yourself first then make your demands after. chances are then they might be met/granted...

In reply to jacksprat

I was thinking the same thing when I read the headline.

Here are the comments in full context

You all need to tek a pill and chill. Seems like Holder more diplomatic than he coach or will he now be called a "yes man".

U blokes are really pussimists...if holder doesn't retain his captaincy, then I'm done n gaan with WI cricket, dazall.

In reply to jacksprat

As bad as the WICB is, it CANNOT AFFORD to lose Holder now after placing such reliance on him at his tender age.

To my mind it would be finally digging its own grave.


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In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

Holder is playing with fire... Not sure how long he will be able to continue at this rate

In reply to Ewart

I totally agree but remember it is the WICB with which we are dealing. I has never been guided by logic or good sense!

In reply to Raggs... well another perspective could be that he wants to win and feels having Simmo around enhances our chances. Don't see him demanding anything.

In reply to jacksprat...

certainly not when Courtesy's peeps were running the show.

WI will soon play cricket without playing captains...

Is there anodda pull out in the near future?

In reply to natty_forever

Courtesy is an insular idiot, best ignored.

Nothing has changed about the WICB!

In reply to Ewart Tell them!

[b]In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com[/b

I have absolutely no problem with
Jason Holder looking out for Jason
Holder ;That is the first law in Nature .

Holder is making sure that in the even of the Team doing poorly in Sri
Lanka he will not be blamed . I do not have a problem with that .

Obviously the second line of defense
is that most of the Players including
Holder are young & inexperienced . It
is good to see that Young Holder is
quickly learning the Ropes . Kudos to him.

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

Well said Holder. I have to agree with Jacksprat, he better be careful in how he expresses his support for individuals who are out of favour with the WICB. He was smart in voicing his support for Simmons without showing dissent towards the WICB.

In reply to Raggs

Damn. Oonu ruff man

A statement has somehow morphed into a demand.

He said he hopes the situation with Simmons is resolved quickly. He hopes he returns to the team ASAP and that Simmons has been an inspiration.

I see no demands in any part of the article.

Next oonu will be saying Holder threatened to strike if Simmons isn't coach

In reply to imusic

A smart way to voice his support for two opposing parties in a dispute.

Hope Jason's got a IPL or County contract he can fall back on.
I don't see the chap lasting all that long.

You all are blowing this thing out of proportion.

If the WICB that arrogant and stupid then God help us all.

If Baptiste does well Phil goose is cooked.

In reply to Commie

well would mean win at least 1 test and close odi series?

In reply to doosra

We have never won a series in SL. Doing well is winning or drawing the series.

Simmons will at some point realise that if there isnt some magical principle, putting his neck on the line for two mediocre players serves no cause other than validate his promise to them that he would have them back in the team. WHat for...I dont know, but thats the gist.

In reply to jacksprat

dat simple Sprats...kudos

In reply to nick2020

But Nick...They ARE that ARROGANT AND THIS STUPID!!

God Helps those who rely and Believe in Him is the only caveat I would add.

ah mean...

Dave is a piece o Work ..and as I read today in the press....We deserve this cause HE was re elected post the India fiasco.

In reply to powen001

The Supreme Emperor Cameron et al are
savvy enough to realize that firing Holder or meting out any punishment to him ; will start a serious microscopic
view of the Supreme Emperor Cameron &
his Minions .

But then the people in the WICB have
an obsession of shooting themselves
in the foot . Generally their Modus Operandi is always do do Rash & Reckless things , before thinking through the Implications & Ramifications of their Actions .

Let me again state that THEY ALL need
to read Dale Carnegie's Book entitled

HOW TO WIN FRIENDS & INFLUENCE PEOPLE

The problem is that they are so Arrogant & Full of themselves that I
doubt they will ever read the book .

I don't see what dunno all geting excited about. Why would the WICB be even concerned about that statement? It's a totally reasonable statement by the captain and I don't see anything that would cause them to even read it twice.

In reply to POINT

Men aint checking for those books Point..men reading Machiavelli and Art of War etc as templates ...clearly.

In reply to powen001

I believe that you are Right about the books you selected .