(ICC) - The former all-rounder and experienced international coach will try and pass on some valuable experience to the PNG side. Former West Indies all-rounder and highly-respected coach Phil Simmons has joined the Papua New Guinea coaching setup for next month's ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Simmons joins the Oceania side in the role of specialist coach, providing head coach and former Zimbabwe international Tatenda Taibu with some added experience in Caribbean conditions for the ninth edition of the T20 World Cup.
While Simmons featured in more than 160 matches for the West Indies, he is perhaps even more well known for his exploits following his playing career as an international coach and for leading the West Indies to their second T20 World Cup title in India in 2016. Simmons was in charge of Zimbabwe's men's team for much of 2004 and 2005 and has more recently had stints in charge of Ireland and Afghanistan and was head coach of the West Indies during their disappointing T20 World Cup campaign at the most recent edition of the tournament in Australia in 2022. Simmons is hoping to use his knowledge of the conditions in the Caribbean and pass it on to Papua New Guinea's players during their second appearance at the T20 World Cup.
“My role here is as a consultant coach and how I put across my experience, not just playing in World Cups but playing in the Caribbean and the things that we should be looking at to make sure we do it right in the Caribbean and especially the venue.
