Cricket West Indies (CWI) have stated head coach Phil Simmons’ job is safe regardless of the Barbados affiliation’s chief demanding his “immediate removal” after attending a funeral in England.
Simmons is self-isolating in his on-site resort room at Old Trafford after attending his father-in-law’s funeral on Friday.
The CWI had stated on Sunday Trinidadian Simmons was granted permission previous to the beginning of the tour however Barbados Cricket Association chief Conde Riley stated it had been “inconsiderate and reckless” to attend the funeral amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I want to assure West Indies cricket fans that Phil Simmons still has the full backing of CWI, no matter what has been said,” CWI President Ricky Skerritt stated on Wednesday.
“When all is said and done, Phil’s job is not in any way threatened by that letter.
“He went by a really vigorous recruitment course of 9 months in the past and was the very best man we might have discovered for the job. He’s nonetheless the very best man.”
Simmons has already cleared two COVID-19 tests and can rejoin the squad if he tests negative in a third conducted on Wednesday.
The 57-year-old said it was important for him to be with his family and that it would not affect the squad’s preparations for the three-tests series beginning in Southampton on Wednesday.
“It will not disrupt us. It will simply make us just a little stronger going into the check collection,” he said.
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