Ireland appoint Simmons

The Irish Cricket Union have appointed former Zimbabwe coach and West Indies international Phil Simmons to take over from current coach Adrian Birrell after the World Cup.

Simmons contract will be for just over two years which will see him up to the end of the 2009 ICC Trophy to be held in the UAE.

Simmons had the following to say on his appointment: “I am very pleased to be joining the Irish Cricket Union and look forward to working with both players and administration.”

“I’m sure I will able to continue the progress that Irish cricket has made over the past few years,” he added.

Simmons coached Zimbabwe in 2004/05 but was sacked after a disappointing series against New Zealand.

Simmons played 26 Tests and 143 one-day internationals for the West Indies from 1988 to 1999.