Don't think I should be begging people to play for West Indies, says coach Phil Simmons
India Today
West Indies head coach Phil Simmons conceded that it hurts not to have all first-choice players available for selection but insisted that the former champions will have to make the best use of their resources in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup.
West Indies have been grappling with the issue of their star players choosing franchise-based leagues over national duty, but head coach Phil Simmons says there is nothing much he or the national cricket board can do about it.
West Indies were hammered 1-4 at home by India as the Nicholas Pooran-led side missed some of the key stars, including Andre Russell and Sunil Narine who have been playing franchise-based leagues across the globe. Evin Lewis and Oshane Thomas have not appeared for their fitness tests, while Sheldon Cottrell, Fabian Allen and Roston Chase are all out with injuries.
Notably, Russell last played for the West Indies at the T20 World Cup last year while Narine has not been considered since 2019.
"I don't think that I should be begging people to play for the West Indies," Phil Simmons said, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.
The former opener expressed his disappointment even as the board struggles to home in on their best squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, with most cricketers either playing franchise league elsewhere or out injured.
"It hurts. There's no other way to put it. But what can you do? I don't think that I should be begging people to play for their countries. I think if you want to represent West Indies, you will make yourself available," he added.
"Life has changed, in that people have the opportunities to go different places and if they choose that over West Indies, that's just how it is," he added.
