WEST Indies coach Phil Simmons has hinted that the fallout of his suspension and subsequent re-instatement last year had led to a frosty relationship with WICB president Dave Cameron and director of cricket Richard Pybus.Simmons was suspended indefinitely in September of last year after making allegations that the regional team’s selection process was subject to outside interference.
According to reports the coach when called upon to justify his claims then provided detailed accounts of what he believed to be interference in the selection process on the path of both Pybus and Cameron.
Simmons, who also apologised for his actions, was subsequently reinstated in November of last year, but claims things were never the same.
“It’s sad because this is not about him or me; this is about West Indies cricket. There has not even been any personal or team congratulatory message on the World Cup win,” Simmons said in reference to Pybus. The coach outlined it was a similarly icy relationship with Cameron.
“It is the same thing. It was good when I first came in. I would get the occasional text message and I earned a big hug when we won the Test match in Barbados against England,” Simmons said.
“But since my suspension there has been no communication, not verbal nor written, and again no congratulatory message,” he added.
“West Indies cricket means more to me than anything else. Especially working with the younger players, getting them to understand what they have to do at the international level keeps my head up all the time.”
“My professionalism also helps me to continually put in my best in my job.” (Sportsmax.com)