| Phil Simmons - the physically imposing former West | | | | Simmons' international record was decent overall. |
| Indies opener- was just as imposing with his | | | | However, his Test record hardly did justice to his |
| stroke-play. "Big Phil" was described as an explosive | | | | talent and ability. From 26 Test matches, Simmons |
| all-rounder; a description that suits him well; except | | | | compiled 1,002 runs from 47 innings at a mediocre |
| for his typically gentle medium-pace bowling. He | | | | average of 22.26. He scored one century and 4 |
| played competitive cricket at the senior level for two | | | | half-centuries in Tests. |
| decades- until the age of 39. | | | | "Big Phil" experienced more success in ODIs with both |
| Philip Verant Simmons was born in Arima, Trinidad in | | | | the bat and ball. From 143 ODIs, he snared 83 |
| the year 1963. He developed into a right-handed | | | | wickets at an average of 34.65. His economy rate |
| specialist opening batsman and occasional | | | | was an impressive 4.44. Simmons also plundered |
| medium-pacer at the start of his career. Phil began | | | | 3,675 runs at a good average of 28.93. His all-round |
| playing First Class cricket for Trinidad and Tobago | | | | ability helped the West Indies to win several ODIs, in |
| during the 1982/1983 West Indies domestic season | | | | which he played. |
| at the age of 19. | | | | Philip Simmons was a very well-travelled cricketer. He |
| The West Indies were a dominant force in World | | | | played for Leicestershire, Durham and Wales Minor |
| cricket at the time, with a solid batting order. | | | | Counties in the UK. Simmons also had stints with |
| Simmons had to wait until his ODI debut in 1987-just | | | | Border and Easterns in South Africa, apart from |
| over four years later-to get his first taste of | | | | playing for his native Trinidad and Tobago and the |
| international cricket. Against Pakistan at Lahore, he | | | | West Indies. From 207 First-class matches, "Big Phil" |
| had an impressive start to his ODI career, scoring a | | | | accumulated 11,682 runs at a good average of 35.61. |
| brisk 50 runs from 57 balls. | | | | He also snared 214 wickets at a good average of |
| Simmons' Test debut came in 1988, mere months | | | | 28.68. That his batting average was several points |
| after his ODI debut. In that match-against India in | | | | higher, suggests that he was a very useful |
| Chennai, the West Indies struggled throughout- | | | | all-rounder. |
| eventually losing by a whopping 255 runs. Like other | | | | At the end of his playing days in 2002, Simmons |
| West Indian batsmen in that defeat, Phil didn't | | | | became involved with coaching. His first international |
| sparkle; only scoring 22 runs in his first two Test | | | | job was to mould a young and politically besieged |
| innings. | | | | Zimbabwe team. He was sacked from that job in |
| Later in 1988, Simmons was selected to tour England. | | | | 2005, amidst some controversy. Still, Simmons' was |
| Facing pacer David Lawrence in a tour match-and in | | | | offered the Ireland job in 2007; taking charge of an |
| fading light-Simmons was hit on the head by a | | | | emerging Irish side that had reached the Super 8 of |
| delivery. He needed emergency brain surgery to save | | | | the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup before he took the |
| his life. Some cricket commentators have opined that | | | | reigns. Evidently, Philip Simmons continued to make his |
| this incident affected Simmons' effectiveness as an | | | | mark of the game-long after he stopped bashing the |
| opening batsman. After that, Simmons improved his | | | | ball and turning his arm over. |
| bowling and became a middle-order batsman as well. | | | | |