Former West Indies head coach Phil Simmons has joined Papua New Guinea as a ‘specialist coach’ for the upcoming T20 World Cup version. Simmons was on the helm when the Caribbeans received the T20 title in 2016 in India and likewise served his second stint with the crew that lasted till the group stage exit of the crew in T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.
However, Simmons has been very a lot energetic in franchise cricket teaching Trinbago Knight Riders, LA Knight Riders and Karachi Kings. In the PNG dugout, he’ll lend assist to go coach Tatenda Taibu who’s the previous Zimbabwe captain and wicketkeeper. Simmons is wanting ahead to spending high quality time with the PNG cricketers whilst Cricket PNG launch confirming that his appointment is a consequence of his expertise of teaching in native situations.
“My function right here is as a guide coach and [will be about] how I put throughout my expertise, not simply taking part in in World Cups however taking part in within the Caribbean and the issues that we must be to verify we do it proper within the Caribbean and particularly the venues that we play at. As a participant internationally, for fourteen years after which as a global coach for eighteen years, it has been a very long time within the sport. It’s at all times sensible to come back house, at all times sensible to come back again to any half of the West Indies. You know the way lovely it’s right here. I’m wanting ahead to getting house, which is Trinidad.
“Their energy is unbelievable: their warm-up alone yesterday got me tired. The guys look like they have settled in really well… I’ve known the head coach for a long time and he’s always energetic. There is always a lot of energy, but the players seem to be pushing him where that is not so, and I like that atmosphere in the team,” Simmons stated.
PNG, in the meantime, have been drawn in Group C for the T20 World Cup alongside co-hosts West Indies, New Zealand, Uganda, and Afghanistan. They are scheduled to play official warm-up fixtures in opposition to Oman and Namibia in Trinidad and Tobago on May 27 and May 30 respectively.
