Phil Simmons to step down as West Indies head coach after Australia Tests

Phil Simmons announces his decision to step down as West Indies head coach following the team's first round defeat at the T20 World Cup 2022. His last assignment will be the Test series against Australia, starting November 30 at the Optus Stadium, Perth.

The two-time champions lost to Scotland and Ireland, finishing bottom of the table in their group. They did manage to beat Zimbabwe to give them hope, but that was not enough to see them through to the next round.

With this exit, West Indies have lost six of their last eight matches at the T20 World Cup. They managed to win just one of their five matches in last year's World Cup.

"I acknowledge that it's not just the team that is hurting but the proud nations we represent as well," Simmons said in a statement released by Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Monday (October 25).

"It's disappointing and heart-wrenching but we just didn't turn up.

"We weren't good enough and we now have to watch a tournament play-out without our involvement. It's unfathomable and for that I deeply apologise to our fans and followers."

Simmons' second stint as West Indies head coach began in October 2019. He was in charge of the team when they won the T20 World Cup in 2016, under the leadership of Daren Sammy. Since taking over three years ago, West Indies' Test fortunes has seen an upward curve with series wins over England and Bangladesh. 

But T20Is have been an issue and faring poorly in the two global events has turned out to be the final nail in the coffin. But Simmons has agreed to participate in CWI's postmortem of the T20 World Cup exit as announced by CWI president Ricky Skerritt.

However, the former batter revealed that he has been considering stepping down for quite some time now.

"From a personal perspective this is not a knee-jerk reaction, but a move I have been considering for some time," he said. 

"Now is the time to make public that I will step down as West Indies head coach at the end of the Test series against Australia.

"It is earlier than hoped for, but I will now focus my energies in Australia on continuing to build on the excellent progress the Test team has made. Of course, as the president has pointed out, we will also carry out the necessary review into our World Cup campaign.

"I must say I have enjoyed aspects of the unique challenge that being West Indies head coach provides and the unwavering support of my management team. There remain some exceptional individuals within CWI who I firmly believe will continue to work in the best interests of West Indies cricket."

Skerritt also thanked Simmons for his contribution.

"On behalf of CWI, I want to thank Phil for his hard work and dedication to West Indies cricket, most recently in his role as head coach. Phil is a proud West Indian, with high ideals and has never lacked motivation in guiding our younger players on and off the field of play.

"He brought valuable experience and stability at a very important period of transformation, including the most challenging environment of the Covid-19 pandemic. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors."