Phil Simmons appointed new coach

2024.05.21

The seasoned international coach and former all-rounder will attempt to impart some priceless knowledge to the PNG team.

Phil Simmons, a well-respected coach and former West Indies all-rounder, has joined the Papua New Guinea coaching staff for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup that takes place next month.

In order to provide head coach and former Zimbabwe international Tatenda Taibu more experience in Caribbean conditions for the ninth T20 World Cup, Simmons has joined the Oceania team as a specialized coach.

Simmons played in more over 160 games for the West Indies, but his achievements as an international coach after retiring from playing may be even more well-known. In 2016, he guided the team to its second T20 World Cup victory in India.

For the most of 2004 and 2005, Simmons oversaw the Zimbabwean men’s squad. More recently, he served as Afghanistan’s coach and Ireland’s coach. During the West Indies’ dismal 2022 T20 World Cup campaign, Simmons served as head coach of the team.

During Papua New Guinea’s second trip to the T20 World Cup, Simmons hopes to use his understanding of the Caribbean climate to help the players.

“I play in the Caribbean and not just in World Cups. My role here is to put across my experience and the things that we should be looking at to make sure we do it right in the Caribbean and especially the venues that we play at,” he added.

@charithcharith