Simmons takes up Head Coach role with TKR for CPL 2023

Phil Simmons has been announced the Head Coach of four-time CPL champions Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR), ahead of the 2023 Caribbean Premier League starting in August.

Simmons, who played for West Indies from 1987 to 1999 as an opening batter and medium-pacer, representing them in three World Cups, is one of the most respected coaches from the region.

After his retirement from playing, Simmons had two stints as Head Coach of the West Indies (2015-2016 and 2019-2022), along with coaching roles for Zimbabwe (2004-2005), Ireland (2007-2015), and Afghanistan (2017-2019).

Speaking on the development, Kieron Pollard, TKR captain said: “As captain, I’m very excited to have coach Phil with us. We have a great chemistry working together as a pair. We’ve done it in the international scene, and it’s great that we are getting the opportunity to work for TKR. Hopefully, this combination will bring smiles and some exciting results back to TKR.”

Venky Mysore, TKR Team Director, added: “We are delighted to have Coach Phil Simmons on board with TKR. He’s highly respected and his knowledge of the local players as well as the foreign players and the younger talent coming through makes him an ideal choice for TKR.”

Trinbago Knight Riders will play their first match of CPL 2023 against St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots at the Daren Sammy Stadium in St. Lucia on August 19. (TKR)