I wasn't sacked by BCCI: Eric Simmons

Outgoing bowling coach Eric Simmons says he didn't want an extension

Team India's outgoing bowling coach, Eric Simmons has stressed that he was not sacked. In fact, he stayed on at the behest of chief coach Duncan Fletcher after India's successful World Cup campaign.


On the way out: Eric Simons during an India training session.u00a0
Pic/Getty Images

Speaking from Brisbane, Simmons said, "I am not sacked contrary to what is believed. The full story is, after the World Cup, Duncan asked me to stay on. I agreed to do so until the England tour.

"I was then asked to continue for the Australia tour too and told him that I would not be able to extend my term beyond that."

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) named Queenslander Joe Dawes as his replacement a few days ago.

Away from home
"During the West Indies series in India, I was asked if I would reconsider. I said I could not, as I had then effectively been away from home for almost two years. I was never going to continue beyond the Australia series.

"I did not want an extension. It was always going to end after the Australia series, no matter the outcome of the matches," Simmons added.

Did Simmons meet his successor? "I have met Joe Dawes (on this tour), but do not know him as a coach," the 50-year-old South African signed off.

Simmons served South Africa for two years before being replaced by Ray Jennings in 2004.