Simmons will not coach the West Indies during their tour of Sri Lanka

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

West Indies head coach Phil Simmons has been suspended just two days after he said that outside influence was responsible for the West Indies not fielding the best ODI squad for their upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.

Simmons was made aware of his suspension after receiving an email from West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) chief executive Michael Muirhead while he was preparing to join the squad in London for their tour of Sri Lanka.

With Simmons not being present for the series against Sri Lanka, it has been confirmed that national selector Eldine Baptiste will take over as interim head coach.

“The West Indies Cricket Board has learnt of the comments from head coach of the West Indies team Phil Simmons in the print and electronic media which appear to question the legitimacy of the selection process of the one-day international squad for the tour of Sri Lanka. As a result, the management of the WICB has taken action to suspend the head coach, pending an investigation into the issue,” the board said in a statement. “The head coach will not now travel with the team on the tour of Sri Lanka.”

Even though the West Indies ODI squad had not been announced, Simmons revealed that outside influence was to blame for all-rounders Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard not being picked.

Simmons also revealed that he and chief selector Clive Lloyd wanted Bravo and Pollard in the squad, but they were outvoted 3-2 during a selection meeting.