ST JOHN’s, Antigua, CMC – Cricket West Indies have settled their long-running legal dispute with former head coach Phil Simmons.
In his first act as CWI president after unseating three-term incumbent Dave Cameron last Sunday, Ricky Skerritt, announced that the regional governing body had reached “an amicable resolution” with the former West Indies player who was axed three years ago under controversial circumstances.
Antigua’s Industrial Court heard the matter on Tuesday and Skerritt had hinted ahead of the hearing that CWI was ready to settle. No figure was given by CWI but media reports earlier this month said Simmons was claiming in excess of US$300 000.
The claim for damages had been held up in court as CWI, even though admitting liability, refused to settle. Cameron revealed last week “the number he (Simmons) is asking for is too high”.
However, Skerritt said the move by CWI was in keeping with his Cricket First Plan, which among other things, pledged to “repair stakeholder relationships, particularly with former players”.
Skerritt also followed through on his promise to make a formal apology to Simmons over recent comments made by Cameron labelling Simmons’s appointment “a bad decision”.
“We would like to apologise to you for referring to your appointment as a “mistake”. Cricket West Indies did not make a mistake when we selected you as our head coach,” Skerritt said following a meeting with Simmons here Monday which also involved his vice-president Dr Kishore Shallow.
“In my previous role as CWI Independent Director, I was involved in the interview panel that recruited Phil Simmons from a long list of competitors and he was the best candidate.
“Subsequently based on the results he produced on the field, he proved himself to be a very competent coach in his time with West Indies, winning the World T20 in 2016, and now currently with Afghanistan.”
Simmons, appointed following the 2015 World Cup, lasted a little more over a year before he was sacked six months after overseeing the Windies capture of the 2016 T20 World Cup in India, for what CWI labelled “differences in culture and strategic approach”.
The Trinidadian, who has excelled in his new role with Afghanistan, said he was thrilled the matter was now at an end and said he was optimistic of a bright future for West Indies under the new leadership.
“My family and I are relieved that we have been able to finally close this matter, and I am pleased that it has been done so amicably,” Simmons said following the meeting.
“Following the election on the weekend I am more confident than I have ever been that the future of West Indies cricket is in good hands. I am a very proud West Indian and I hope that in the future I get the opportunity to try and help move our cricket forward again.
“I would like to offer my congratulations to President Skerritt and Vice-President Shallow.”
