Coach Simmons

Coach Simmons Ready!

Kingston, Jamaica: The West Indies have reinstated Phil Simmons as head coach of their senior squads after he apologised for criticising team selection.

Simmons was suspended in September for questioning the continued omissions of all-rounders Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard, saying he was not getting "the best 50-over ODI squad".

Eldine Baptiste took over for the tour of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka won both Tests and all three one-day internationals on the tour.

The West Indies' campaign will be led by former player Phil Simmons, whose recent suspension by the WICB has officially been overturned.

Simmons was suspended for six weeks while the WICB investigated what they considered to be derogatory comments made about them by Simmons to the media. While he missed the series in Sri Lanka - Elden Baptiste was appointed interim head coach - the WICB announced, in conjunction with the squad announcement, that Simmons would return to his position. 

This was done with an official reprimand to him, and only after he made a public apology to the WICB and the selectors he criticised in late September, for their decisions in regards to the squad for Sri Lanka.

"I regret my public outburst ... and the revelation of the voting that took place at the team-selection meeting," Simmons said.

"I extend a public apology to all whom I may have offended. I personally apologise to my fellow selectors, and the West Indies Cricket Board.

"I am looking forward to putting this behind me and doing the job I enjoy . . . to continue heading towards the goal that we have in sight, and to which we have started working."

The West Indies' team manager for the series will be Richie Richardson. It will be the former captain's final stint in the role, as immediately afterwards he will become an ICC match referee.