COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, CMC- West Indies captain Jason Holder says he hopes the conflict between suspended head coach Phil Simmons and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) could be resolved quickly allowing him to be reinstated.
Holder, who is leading West Indies on a tour of Sri Lanka which begins with a practice match against a President’s X1 tomorrow, says Simmons’ suspension has been a setback to the team.
The former Windies all-rounder is due to face a disciplinary panel of the WICB sometime this week after he was suspended for publicly alleging interference in the selection of the ODI squad.
“No doubt [Simmons’ suspension] is a bit of setback for us, but at this present stage, all we can do is focus on the cricket,” said Holder.
“I just hope that the situation with him is solved quickly because we would love to have him back. He’s been a wonderful inspiration to our team thus far.”
Simmons’ suspension came only days before the squad was scheduled to assemble in Sri Lanka, and less than three weeks before the first Test.
He was reported to be upset with the non-selection of Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard on the ODI squad.
Holder describes Simmons as a ‘wonderful inspiration’ during his brief stint in charge which began in March.
“The comments made by Phil were by Phil, and I can’t comment on those things,” Holder said.
“It’s down to him and the board. We can only control the cricket because that’s what we came here to do. Whatever his situation, his fate lies with him and the board. Hopefully he can deal with that and be back to us as soon as possible.”
West Indies begin their tour with a three-day warm-up match, which, because of bad weather, now begins tomorrow before moving to Galle for the first Test, which starts next Wednesday.
