“It’s unbelievable. This has been one of the best moments of my life. Holy Cross College is very close to my heart.”
These were the words of ex-West Indies coach and player, Phil Simmons, who was honoured by his alma mater, Holy Cross College, during a tribute ceremony for the former hard-hitting allrounder at the school in Arima on Thursday.
The 60-year-old Simmons, who played 143 One-day internationls and 26 Test matches for the West Indies, was hailed as a “pioneer” in the cricket world by Holy Cross for his coaching exploits with Afghanistan, Ireland, Zimbabwe and his native Windies team.
“You were a great missionary coach Phil. You went to the world!” said former Holy Cross principal Bernard Tappin. “You are a pioneer for West Indies cricket.”
[caption id="attachment_1034268" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Former West Indies player and coach Phil Simmons (C) is flanked by students of his alma mater Holy Cross College during a tribute ceremony, at the school auditorium, Calavary, Arima, on Thursday, - Roneil Walcott[/caption]
Simmons, whose cracking cover drives and pull shots as a teenager, would echo straight from Calvary Hill, Arima, to the famous Arima Dial, went on to score five ODI hundreds for the West Indies, as well as 18 ODI fifties. Simmons also had the solitary Test ton, to go along with four fifties. In the maroon colours of the Caribbean team, Simmons’ most famous moment perhaps came with the ball in hand.
In a Benson and Hedges World Series match in Sydney in 1992, Simmons had the jaw-dropping figures of four wickets for just three runs in his full ten-over quota, as he ripped the Pakistan top order to shreds in a quite brilliant display of seam bowling. The Pakistanis were bowled out for a paltry score of 81 on that day, while the Windies went on to win the series, defeating Australia in the final. Simmons took a total of 11 wickets in the series and was jointly named Player of the Series alongside legendary pace bowler Sir Curtly Ambrose.
Simmons won the presitgious Wisden Cricketer of the Year award in 1997, following a stunning 1996 County Championship campaign where he helped Leicestershire to their second County Championship title. In that 1996 County season, Simmons rattled off four centuries, while he took 56 wickets at an average of 18.23.
Simmons played his last international match for the West Indies at the 1999 World Cup.
Upon his retirement, Simmons found success on the sideline, becoming a respected coach on the world stage.
“The biggest part of success is discipline,” said Simmons, who attended Holy Cross from 1974-1979. “The discipline in the classroom and out in the field will stay with you through life.” Simmons, who currently coaches the four-time Caribbean Premier League (CPL) champs Trinbago Knight Riders, urged the Holy Cross students to be disciplined in all aspect of their daily lives.
“I’m not someone who thinks about honours and awards. I like to see progress,” Simmons said. “I like to push the players to make sure that every time you come back t
