BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Out of-favour batsman Lendl Simmons says he is upbeat about his future in West Indies cricket following a productive meeting with chief selector Clyde Butts on Thursday.
And the dashing right-hander has pledged his commitment to West Indies cricket, stressing that he will be focussing on improving his form in order to grab the attention of the selectors again. Simmons and the selectors have been at loggerheads for almost a year, since his return from the one-day tour of Australia last February.
He has not been picked for a West Indies team since but this seems set to change following a meeting with Butts, which was also attended by Trinidad and Tobago captain Daren Ganga.
“I met with chairman Butts [on Thursday] and I must say it was a very good meeting indeed,” Simmons said.
“We spoke a lot and about varying issues and we both shared our side of the situation. At the end of it I was given the assurance that there is a place in West Indies cricket for me and this has left me feeling good.”
With mystery surrounding Simmons’ repeated exclusion from West Indies teams, Butts said earlier this week that the reports following the tour of Australia indicated that the player “needed help”. And while he did not elaborate, there has been speculation that Simmons has had disciplinary issues.
Simmons’ form has also been a source of contention and the stroke-maker said this would be his focus in coming months.
“At this point in time I just want to concentrate on making runs and developing my game, in order to be given a chance to play at the highest level again,” said Simmons, who turns 26 next Tuesday. “From what I understand now, it is a matter of addressing the selectors with performances on the ground and leave it up to them and this in my opinion is fair enough.
“I want to let everybody know that I am committed to West Indies cricket and committed to getting us back on top and I will be giving it my all to get back in there, so I can make a change.”
