West Indies coach Simmons wants more competitive pitches

West Indies head coach Phil Simmons has urged cricket authorities to provide more competitive pitches in the region in order to lift the profile of Test match cricket.

He called on the authorities in the Caribbean to prepare more results-oriented pitches, following a nil-nil draw in the recent two-Test series against Sri Lanka in Antigua and Barbuda.

Both matches finished in tame stalemates at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

Simmons said it was important from a country standpoint to get better wickets where “we can have Test matches that will create a result.”
The Windies found themselves frustrated on Good Friday when Sri Lanka comfortably batted out the final day of the second Test to earn a draw.

Set an improbable target of 377 runs, Sri Lanka resumed the final day on 29 without loss and lost only two wickets, en-route to reaching 193 before the game was called off.

The first Test had taken a similar direction with West Indies easily batting out the final day after being asked to get 375 for victory.

West Indies employed a five-pronged attack for the series with four fast bowlers and off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall being utilized.

Simmons said it was more the tranquility of the pitch and not the effectiveness of the bowling group, that led to the drawn matches.