Darren Sammy takes a swing at WICB over axing Phil Simmons as coach

Former West Indies T20 captain Darren Sammy has lashed out at his country's cricket board in the immediate aftermath of the sacking of head coach Phil Simmons, shortly before the Caribbean team's series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

In a media statement, the West Indies Cricket Board said Simmons, who assumed coaching responsibility after last year's World Cup, had been dismissed from his position due to "differences in culture and strategic approach".

Also read: Darren Sammy sacked by West Indies Cricket Board as T20 Captain

The six-week long UAE tour includes three Twenty20s and as many one-day internationals and Test matches.

Without giving a specific reason for the sacking, WICB stated, "In recent times, based on the public pronouncements of the coach and the approach internally, we have identified differences in culture and strategic approach. The WICB would therefore like to thank the coach for his contribution and wishes him the best in his future endeavours."

Also Read: West Indies Cricket Board dismisses Phil Simmons as national team coach

Sammy, who was also sacked from the captaincy and dumped from the team before the historic two-match T20 series against India on American soil, immediately took to his Facebook handle to criticise the WICB, cricket.com.au reported.

"So after the publicity stunt in Fort Lauderdale, the first so call plan to move West Indies Cricket forward is to fire the Coach just 2 days before a tour..Just prove to me what I already knew. If the blind leads the blind they are bound to fall in a pit," Sammy said.

Under the guidance of Simmons, the West Indies had lifted their second World T20 title in India earlier this year. However, strains between Simmons and the WICB showed no sign of abating.

Last year, Simmons was suspended briefly after he complained of "interference" in the selection process, but he was reinstated after a reprimand.

Simmons is the third influential member of the team management, after Sammy and Curtly Ambrose, who has been sacked in less than six months since West Indies' historic World T20 victory.

--ANI