New Delhi: West Indies head coach Phil Simmons has rejoined his team ahead of the opening Test against England after being in mandatory quarantine and clearing the COVID-19 tests following his decision to attend a family funeral.
“Phil Simmons is back on the job. The West Indies head coach returned to the field with his players on Thursday after his mandatory quarantine and COVID 19 tests,” Cricket West Indies said on Thursday.”He was part of the warm-up and pre-match preparations as West Indies continued their four-day warm-up match at the Old Trafford,” it further stated.
Simmons had found himself in a soup after board member Conde Riley had sought his “immediate removal” for moving out of the team’s bio-secure location in the UK to attend his father-in-law’s funeral ahead of the three-Test series against England beginning July 8.
However, the 57-year-old Simmons received the backing of Board president Ricky Skerritt, who insisted that he had taken permission before venturing out.
"I want to assure West Indies cricket fans that Phil Simmons still has the full backing of Cricket West Indies no matter what has been said. When all is said and done, Phil's job is not in any way threatened...he went through a very vigorous recruitment process nine months ago and was the best man we could have found for the job. He's still the best man," Skerritt said.
Simmons, who is in his second stint as West Indies coach, was in self-isolation at the team’s on-site hotel at Old Trafford after being granted a request for compassionate leave before the squad left for Britain.
Speaking on Wednesday Simmons had said that he was fully focused on preparing the team to beat England and retain the prestigious Wisden Trophy.
"It won't disrupt us, it will just make us a little stronger going into the Test series. Our focus is still on the series," he said.
"This has not been an easy time for my family. My wife was very close to her father and his passing has hurt us. There was no question of me not going to the funeral. My wife, my daughters and my son needed that support. I had to do what is right for my family, just as I will do what is right for CWI for the series," Simmons said.
All international cricket has been suspended since March this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, however, the series between England and West Indies will mark the return of international cricket.
West Indies is currently playing the second and final intra-squad game as part of their preparation for the three-test series, which will mark the resumption of international cricket.
The West Indies squad will live, train and play in a 'bio-secure' environment in England during the seven weeks of the tour, as part of the comprehensive medical and operations plans to ensure player and staff safety.
The bio-secure protocols will also restrict movement in and out of the venues. England and West Indies will take on each other in the three-match Test series.
The first Test will be played at The Rose Bowl in Southampton on July 8.
