SIMMONS DUBLIN, Ireland (CMC):
Former West Indies all-rounder Phil Simmons has been appointed Ireland's coach, ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean.
The 42-year-old Simmons, who played 26 Tests and 143 One-Day Internationals for the West Indies, was named in the position Sunday by the Irish Cricket Union.
Simmons will take over the reins of the team after Ireland's final game of the Cricket World Cup, with current coach Adrian Birrell remaining in the position until such time.
Simmons' contract will run until the end of the 2009 ICC Trophy, scheduled for the United Arab Emirates in April 2009 but has been given the option of an additional two years if Ireland qualify for the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
"We are delighted to have secured Phil's services. He has a proven record at Test level as both player and coach and we look forward to working with him to build on the team's recent successes and further narrow the performance gap between Ireland and our professional opponents," ICU chairman, Dr. Murray Power said.
Simmons, a former Zimbabwe coach, said he was looking forward to his tenure with the Irish side.
"I am very pleased to be joining the Irish Cricket Union and look forward to working with both players and administration. I'm sure I will able to continue the progress that Irish cricket has made over the past few years," the Trinidadian said.
Big passion
"I know from speaking to people who have dealt with Irish cricket that they have a big passion and they have a plan, where they want to go. I like the direction they want to go, so it wasn't a hard decision to apply for the job."
The former Durham and Leicestershire County professional, who will make the trip to the March 13 to April 28 tournament, said he was confident the Irish side would play positive cricket.
"Speaking to Adi, I know that the guys don't play the game for second place. They play the game hard and try to win every time they go out," Simmons said.
"One-day cricket is one of those games when you might catch one of the big teams on a bad day. Pakistan or the West Indies could come unstuck and I like the way the Irish lads play the game hard, no matter who they are up against."
Simmons coached Zimbabwe's national side from September 2004 until August 2005 when he was sacked from the position.
