‘Few loud critics want Kieron Pollard and Phil Simmons gone’, says CWI President Ricky Skerritt

Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Ricky Skerritt has said a few loud critics want limited-overs skipper Kieron Pollard and head coach Phil Simmons removed. There have been reports floating in the Caribbean that suggests a rift in the West Indies dressing room. Things started to go downhill for West Indies when they were knocked out from the Super 12 stage of the 20-20 World Cup in the UAE and Oman.

The Men In Marron also went on to lose the ODI series against Ireland by 2-1. However, they recently won the T20I series against England by 3-2.

Meanwhile, Skerritt said that there are few critics who want the duo gone for non-cricketing reasons. However, he added that he has no reason to replace the coach and captain any time soon.

“Phil and Pollard have a few, but loud, critics who want them gone for non-cricket reasons,” the CWI president told Cricbuzz ahead of the West Indies tour of India for a limited-overs series.

“I have no reason to believe there will be any change in coach and captain any time soon. But remember the captaincy is evaluated as is the coach. If the system says these guys are not right people, we will deal with it. At the moment I don’t see anything coming at me that says these guys must go. Caribbean people like to take people down,” he added.

The CWI president then went on to deny the news of a rift within the team, terming the news as a malicious attack on the credibility of the West Indies Captain.

“I view this as a malicious attack on the credibility of the West Indies Captain, designed to sow division within our team that has just recorded three very impressive T20I performances against very strong opponents (England). This clear attempt by well-known mischief makers to discredit the captain should not be tolerated or encouraged.”