Simmons’ resignation paves way for possible return

May 20, 2019
Phil Simmons
Phil Simmons

(CMC):

The decision by Phil Simmons to step down as head coach of Afghanistan after the ICC World Cup has opened up the possibility of a return to the West Indies team.

Simmons recently announced that he would be leaving the post after achieving his goal of helping Afghanistan qualify for the tournament, which will be held in England and Wales from May 30 till July 14.

His contract, although due to expire at the end of the World Cup, would most likely have been extended.

"I have thought about it and I have actually given the ACB [Afghanistan Cricket Board] my notice that I will not be renewing my contract. I will move on to something different once my contract expires on July 15," Simmons told ESPNcricinfo.

"I signed up originally for 18 months and I think I have done a lot in this period. It is time for me to move on to something else now. To want to get to the World Cup - that was ACB's goal at the time they appointed me. My goal is always to leave things better than when I joined: the way we practice, the way we think about the game, the way we assess other teams. I've tried to help the players in all those areas."

Coincidentally, after also being in charge of the West Indies for 18 months, Simmons was controversially fired by the Dave Cameron-led West Indies Cricket Board back in 2016.

However, while Simmons challenged the decision in court, one of the first orders of business for new Cricket West Indies president Ricky Skerritt after being elected was to apologise to the former West Indies all-rounder and reach an amicable resolution.

It was agreed that the settlement amount would remain confidential.

Skerritt then ended the contract of interim coach Richard Pybus and named Floyd Reifer as head coach for the Windies' tour to Ireland to take part in the recently concluded Tri-Nations Series as well as the World Cup.

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