Phil Simmons has been suspended as West Indies coach, just days after criticising the selection panel over the one-day squad for Sri Lanka.
The Trinidadian made the shocking move of slamming the omission of Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo from the yet-to-be announced One-Day International squad, claiming there had been “outside interference” in the selection process, reports CMC.
Simmons was appointed last March following the ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, and has overseen Home Series against England and Australia.
West Indies are scheduled to leave the Caribbean on Monday and Tuesday for Sri Lanka for a two-Test tour.
Simmons’ suspension throws the tour of Sri Lanka, which starts with the first Test on 14 October, into total disarray.
Eldine Baptiste, a member of the WICB selection panel, will instead take charge for the two Tests, three ODIs and two Twenty20s.
A media release from the WICB read: “The West Indies Cricket Board has learnt of the comments from head coach of the West Indies team, Phil Simmons, in the print and electronic media which appear to question the legitimacy of the selection process of the one-day international squad for the tour of Sri Lanka.
(Inputs from IANS)