JUST DAYS AFTER Ireland’s World Cup exit, Cricket Ireland has confirmed that Phil Simmons is in talks with the West Indies Cricket Board to take over as head coach of their national team.
The Trinidadian, who played 26 Tests and nearly 150 one-day internationals for the West Indies, is contracted to Ireland until September 2015. However, this afternoon Cricket Ireland confirmed to The42 that they were aware that Simmons was in talks with the WICB.
If those talks prove successful, it is believed he will be unveiled by his new side in time for the start of their three-Test series with England on 13 April.
The Windies have been without a coach since Ottis Gibson was removed in December and are playing at the World Cup with Stuart Williams in temporary charge.
The 51-year old has been involved with Ireland for eight years and oversaw victory over his probable new side in their Pool B opener only to see Ireland lose out on the quarter-finals on net run rate.
However, while the loss of Simmons is obviously disappointing for players and fans, The42 understands both Andy Flower and Mark Garaway could be in the running to replace Simmons.
Flower enjoyed success at both Test and one-day level with England, winning the Ashes, the World Twenty20 and taking his team to number one in the world during his time in charge.
Garaway is a former Hampshire cricketer who has previously served as performance director for Cricket Ireland.
Additional reporting by Ryan Bailey.
Flower is a big name for Ireland. It’s a very difficult job, with tiny resources and little opportunity in a system designed to maintain a status quo which limits development.
If Flower wanted a bit of job security it’s the ideal position for the long haul. In terms of keeping an eye on academy prospects while scouting the increasingly more professional inter-pro scene, preparing squads for occasional world tournaments and eventually playing a role in preparation for test cricket, I reckon this is a 10 year job.
As well as that, it’s a job that promises success at every opportunity, we’ve dominated the “associate” game for quite a while now and although Afghanistan and the UAE are showing class I don’t see us slipping from that throne any time soon. Similarly, we seem to be constantly knocking on the door of the full member nations whereas any possible defeat at the hands of these isn’t seen as a huge disappointment so it’s a relatively low pressure coaching job compared to his England role.
I’m hoping that whoever is chosen they’ll have the fresh ideas that Simmons lacked. His WK selection seemed to be entirely personal and while both choices are accomplished and both could make the team purely as batsmen, I feel, and it has been said by people close to the team that Niall O’Brien was more capable of being a liability in the field without the gloves and although that wasn’t particularly obvious in the WC, a few minor errors on Wilson’s part should be enough to push for a switch. This along with his overlooking of club level successes ensures that, although we had great success under his guidance, there’s no tears in my eyes to see him go.