Quote:West Indies coach Phil Simmons has been sacked, ESPNcricinfo understands. Simmons, who had moved to coach West Indies from Ireland after last year's World Cup, was informed about the termination of his contract on Tuesday.

Simmons' journey as West Indies coach was never smooth once he made his thoughts public soon after not being allowed to pick what he felt was the best squad for the ODI series in Sri Lanka last year. Consequently the WICB suspended him briefly before allowing him back to his role as a head coach once both parties resolved to sort out matters amicably. He went on to coach West Indies to the World T20 final when they beat England in April.

The recent Test series against India finished on a 2-0 defeat but confirmation of Simmons' departure came the day West Indies' limited-overs squad was scheduled to leave for the UAE where they will play three T20Is and three ODIs starting September 23

Quote:ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Tuesday said it would be making a “statement very shortly” amid growing speculation that head coach Phil Simmons has been sacked.

“I will not be making a statement at this point in time, I need a couple of hours,” outgoing chief executive Michael Muirhead told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

But he insisted that the senior West Indies team, which is due to play a Test series against Pakistan later this month “is not without a coach”.

Asked who is the coach, Muirhead replied: “We are going to make a statement shortly… about 4:30 (local time).”