West Indies coach Phil Simmons earlier was told that he will face the danger of losing his job after the Barbados Cricket Association president said that the Former Test batsman should be sacked for attending his father-in-law’s funeral.
However, on Wednesday Phil Simmons told that he will not face the danger of losing his job after the Barbados Cricket Association president said the former Test batsman should be sacked for attending his father-in-law’s funeral. Simmons is currently in self-isolation at the team’s hotel at Old Trafford ahead of next week’s first Test match against England that will be played at Southampton after the approval of compassionate leave before the squad left for Britain. Simmons left the West Indies protective atmosphere to attend the funeral which took place in Britain.
Simmons has twice tested negative for the coronavirus & will rejoin the squad if he is again tested negative in the third test that will be carried out on Wednesday. But ahead of a Test series that will be taken place amid the COVID-19 situation, BCA Chief Conde Riley has written to Cricket West Indies President Ricky Skerritt for an “inconsiderate & reckless” process as he demanded Simon’s dismissal from the Test series.
But Skerritt told a conference call: “I want to assure West Indies cricket fans that Phil Simmons still has the full backing of Cricket West Indies no matter what has been said.
“When all is said and done, Phil’s job is not in any way threatened by that letter.
“He went through a very rigorous recruitment process nine months ago and was the best man we could have found for the job. He’s still the best man.”
Whereas Simmons as West Indies Coach said, “This has not been an easy time for my family. My wife was very close to her father and his passing has hurt us. There was no question of me not going to the funeral.
“My wife, my daughters, and my son needed that support. Family is a huge thing for me.
“It won’t disrupt us, it will just make us a little stronger going into the Test series. Our focus is still on the series.”
West Indies Captain Jason Holder had no problems over Simmon’s brief absence. He said, “Phil has done what was asked of him and I don’t have any issue with it”.
