Phil Simmons, Former West Indies Star, Joins Papua New Guinea’s T20 World Cup Coaching Team
Phil Simmons, the former West Indies all-rounder and esteemed coach, has been appointed to the Papua New Guinea coaching team for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Simmons will serve as a specialist coach for the Oceania side, providing head coach and former Zimbabwe international Tatenda Taibu with valuable experience in Caribbean conditions for the ninth edition of the T20 World Cup.
Simmons, who played in over 160 matches for the West Indies, is also renowned for his coaching career. He led the West Indies to their second T20 World Cup title in India in 2016.
He previously managed Zimbabwe’s men’s team in 2004 and 2005, and has had recent stints with Ireland and Afghanistan. He was also the head coach of the West Indies during their disappointing T20 World Cup campaign in Australia in 2022.
Simmons aims to leverage his knowledge of Caribbean conditions to benefit Papua New Guinea’s players during their second appearance at the T20 World Cup.
“My role here is as a consultant coach. I will share my experience, not just from playing in World Cups but also from playing in the Caribbean. We should focus on doing things right in the Caribbean, especially at the venues we play at,” he said.
“Having been an international player for fourteen years and an international coach for eighteen years, I have spent a long time in the game. It’s always brilliant to come home, always brilliant to come back to any part of the West Indies. It is beautiful here.
“I’m looking forward to getting home, which is Trinidad. Having people come here, me getting back here, it’s always a great thing, it’s always something to look forward to.”
Simmons has already joined the PNG playing group in the Caribbean island of St Kitts. The 61-year-old has been impressed by what he has seen.
“Their energy is unbelievable!” Simmons exclaimed. “Their warm-ups alone yesterday got me tired. The guys look like they have settled in really well.
“Yesterday in training we started to get out in the middle of their game so they started on some of the things they have to do here in the Caribbean. It’s nice to see the energy that’s among this squad.
“I’ve known the head coach (Taibu) for a long time and he’s always energetic, but the players seem to be pushing him where that is not so. I like that atmosphere in the team, I like the liveliness in the team.”
Tony Ura , 34 vs Namibia
Papua New Guinea’s first match at the T20 World Cup is against Simmons’ former side, the West Indies, in Guyana on June 2.
Papua New Guinea squad:
Assadollah Vala (c), Alei Nao, Chad Soper, CJ Amini, Hila Vare, Hiri Hiri, Jack Gardner, John Kariko, Kabua Vagi Morea, Kipling Doriga, Lega Siaka, Norman Vanua, Sema Kamea, Sese Bau, Tony Ura