Published 12:15 IST, October 31st 2019
Phil Simmons believes consistency is Windies' key to tackle Afghan
West Indies head coach Phil Simmons believes that consistency is the key for the Windies to tackle Afghanistan as the two sides square off against each other
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West Indies head coach Phil Simmons believes that consistency is the key for the Windies to tackle Afghanistan as the two sides square off against each other in a three-match T20 series from November 5. The former Windies all-rounder, who was previously Afghanistan's head coach, is looking forward to his first assignment after he was named as the coach for the Caribbean side. Stressing on the need for the team to be consistent and win matches continuously, Phil Simmons said that he had a goal in mind as the coach and that he wanted to make sure the Windies win games consistently.
Phil Simmons lays out the game plan for Afghanistan
The former West Indies all-rounder was with the Caribbean side until 2016 following which there arose differences between him and the board. With his return to the Windies as the coach, Phil Simmons, speaking to a media outlet, said that he believes that the right balance and discipline can turn around the fortunes for the Windies. With prior experience of coaching Afghanistan and knowing the players, Phil Simmons did not rule out the possibility of Afghanistan handing an upset to the Windies out of nowhere and said that it won't be easy for the Windies as the opposition was very aggressive and are going to play on their home ground. Phil Simmons hoped that the new windies captain Kieron Pollard could bring some positive changes to the side and turn the tables for the Windies.
Phil Simmons’ track record as coach
Simmons is not new to coaching. After making his last international appearance in an ODI against Australia in 1999, he took retirement from all forms of cricket in 2002. He later embarked on a successful coaching journey which started with a one-year stint with the Zimbabwean cricket team. He was appointed as head coach of the African coach in 2004 but was finally sacked under farcical conditions a year later. He then took over from Adrian Birrell to coach the Ireland cricket team after the 2007 Cricket World Cup. During his tenure, Ireland won 11 trophies and qualified for every major ICC event in the process. His coaching stint with the Irish team propelled them to multiple wins over Test-playing nations over the next two World Cups. Phil Simmons was then appointed by the WICB to coach his home nation. He led the West Indian cricket team to their historic second World T20 win when the Caribbean side defeated England in a nail-biting final in India. He was a key factor for the West Indians during their dominance in the game’s shortest format.
11:56 IST, October 31st 2019