Simmons not to blame

West Indies’ exit from the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia last year had little to do with coaching failures.

That as was stated by Justice Patrick Thompson Jr, chairman of the independent three-member group tasked with reviewing all matters relating to the World Cup “disaster,” as he and Cricket West Indies President, Ricky Skerrit fielded questions from the media yesterday following the release of the executive summary of the review.

Cricket West Indies President, Ricky Skerritt.Cricket West Indies

The three-member group also included West Indies batting legend, Brian Lara and South African international cricket coach, Mickey Arthur.

After the World Cup exit, West Indies Head Coach, Phil Simmons resigned from the post  and shortly after, skipper Nicholas Pooran also stepped down.

“Certainly, from memory  I don’t recall very many references to any sort of coaching failures, if I can call it that way,” Thompson told the media.

“What does one expect a coach to do at the international level?” Thompson asked.

“They can only do so much and then the 11 take the field and then it is bat vs ball and the captain is, as it were, the coach on tbe field to make sure the plans are implemented. That is how I would put it at least,” he articarticulated.

He commended the players for not making the coach a scapegoat.