CricInfo Interactive Player of the Month

September 1996: Phil Simmons

Each month the editor of CricInfo Interactive will choose a player who has made an outstanding achievement during the previous month as the CricInfo googler's Player of the Month. This could be an achievement in the Test, one-day international, or domestic scene, anywhere in the world. We hope that this will become as prestigious as Wisden's Five Cricketers Of The Year, and maybe when CricInfo reaches its 133rd year, we will :-J. But unlike Wisden, our winners can come back and win again and again...

Anyway, enough of my attempts to hide our lack of a trophy or sponsor's car - the inaugural CricInfo googler's Player of the Month for September 1996 is a man whose all-round ability with bat and ball inspired Leicestershire to their first County Championship since 1975, and on September the 13th gave Durham a Black Friday they want to forget. The first winner of the CricInfo googler's Player of the Month is Leicestershire's West Indian batsman Philip Verant Simmons.

Highlights of Simmons' September:
3-64 and 2-46 in Leicestershire's six wicket win over Notts;
6-14 and 171 off 170 balls as Leics crushed Durham on Black Friday; (match report).
115 in the Sunday League game against Durham two days later; and
142 in the Championship winning game against Middlesex.

Walter Hammond was, like Simmons, a fine batsman with a handy reputation as a bowler, and he had a purple patch of his own in 1928. Julius Caesar presents Hammond's Week on CricInfo Interactive.


CricInfo Database's Phil Simmons page

Your say on Phil Simmons!


Date: Fri, 21 Mar 1997 18:58:37
Message from derek.simms@gs.com (Derek Simms)
Since Phil received the blow to his head he has lost his confidence. His performances are worst in warmer climates; perhaps the helmet is uncomfortable.
Date: Thu, 6 Mar 1997 02:42:24
Message from R11GA496@RICS2.CBA.UH.EDU (BRIAN WALTERS)
Phil Simmons is a courageous batsman and bowler who came back from a near-fatal blow to the head in 1988 to have a very respectable one-day career. It's a pity that he could not consistently carry this success to the Test level. For my money, there is no West Indian more exciting to watch if you crave sheer power in batting.
Date: Mon, 3 Mar 1997 16:39:54
Message from stu3226@westga.edu (malcolm dookharan)
Phil Simmons is a good plyer who was given the oppurtunity to reach far by the WEST INDIES and was never up to it. he was never the same player after the life-threatening injury of 1988 when he was hit on the head by David Lawrence... although some will say he is great and i do think highly of him he has gotten in bad patches and his inconsistency was a detrimnent to his career. He hits the ball very hard but is founnd wanting against good bowling attack on a good pitch...
Date: Sat, 28 Dec 1996 11:48:50
Message from nevillem@ihug.co.nz (Darrell Menezes)
I think Phil Simmons is a kind of allrounder that the west indies really missed at the world cup in march. he has the great ability to get the windies of to flying start when he opens the innings, as well they really missed his steve waugh like medium pacers that are really suited to the conditions on the sub continent. all the west indies are missing as well as simmons ability to turn a match with his excellent catching and ground fielding. i cant understand why also the west indies selectors havent selected him for the tour of australia. he did very well with the ball especially last time in 1992/93. this is one reason i personally believe that the windies are struggling so far on their tour of australia. Malcom Marshall, Clive Llyod bring simmons downunder if you want to go back home with the Frank Worrell trophy regained.
Date: Mon, 2 Dec 96 18:32
Message from chris@secstan.demon.co.uk (Chris Pope)
Like many other players, Simmons has performed well in county cricket however I think that a player of the month has to go to someone for international success, otherwise, people like Mark Ramprakash may get this award.
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 96 21:12
Message from mnanda@vidyut.ee.iisc.ernet.in (BANDA POOKU KISHORE)
You are the most talented opener ever in this whole world not playing in international matches regularly.
Date: Tue, 29 Oct 96 07:33
Message from jgc@ultra.net.au (Paul Gibson)
I don't think he's that good. He loses his head in pressure situations, often trying to hit the ball out of the park when it is not necessary. His last summer in Australia was pretty weak often being dismissed for low scores.
Date: Sun, 27 Oct 1996 17:12:03
Message from Reinecke@Iafrica.com (David Reinecke)
I have just watched him make +- 80 in =- 50 balls, live, for Easterns of SA against the formidable Northern Transvaal in SA's Standard Bank Limited Overs Series. He played very well scoring his 50 off just about 30 deliveries including 3 sixes and 6 fours. I noticed he hit every ball in the slot (leg side fullish) for six and favour the on side (although he showed no weakness on the off). It looks like he will be a great asset for Easterns this season.
Date: Sat, 26 Oct 96 09:35
Message from yousuf@drik.bgd.toolnet.org (Nader F. Islam)
Phil Simmons is a good batsman, times his shots well, but never there when you need him the most!
Date: Thu, 24 Oct 96 16:16
Message from 106350.357@compuserve.com (Darshin Lakhia)
Being an avid Leicestershire supporter I am delighted at the all round achievements of Phil Simmons. I have to admit to being very disappointed in him in his first season with Leicestershire two seasons ago. But hats off to him for achieving what he has now. He should easily be West Indies's allrounder batting at number 5 or six
Date: Wed, 23 Oct 96 13:14
Message from w3008947@student.anu.edu.au (william)
good bat but lacks consistancy. good one day bowler and fielder. has to convert scores more often in test level. good bloke!
Date: Wed, 23 Oct 96 05:56
Message from jezpol@netspace.net.au (Jerry Politis)
Phil Simmons is an absolute champion when he is on his game he reminds me of the greatest ever batsman to thump the living daylights out of a bowling lineup ( Viv Richards) Phil Simmons is a true champ. I am from Australia but I love the West Indies
Date: Wed, 23 Oct 1996 05:50:36
Message from zaman@agecon.agr.hokudai.ac.jp (Zaki-uz-zaman)
An attacking batsman like the other West Indian Players. He has the quality to become an important player in the West Indies team. But the performence is still questionable I hope he will be able to proof his worthiness very soon.
Date: Sun, 20 Oct 96 17:40
Message from ghaus@khi.compol.com (Ghaus Bin Ikram)
I must say that you have played very well and you must deserve of becoming the player of the month. All my regard and all the best in future. I AM FROM Pakistan and i love to play cricket and i am an all rounder .
Date: Sun, 20 Oct 96 16:25
Message from khalid@awan.erum.com.pk (Qasim Awan)
I really don't know why Phil Simmons isn't in the West Indian Test side
Date: Fri, 18 Oct 96 13:46
Message from anupampatra@hotmail.com (ANUPAM PATRA)
I really don't see him on the international cricket scene now a days. How could he be the cricketer of the month?
Date: Thu, 17 Oct 96 14:47
Message from wdego@trinidad.net (Winston de Govia)
Not being selected by WI for Australia: Surprising omission because Phil is one of the better ODI players in the world. He has shown this by his performances for the WI in the last two (2) home series against Australia and New Zealand.
Date: Thu, 17 Oct 96 04:50
Message from anandv@cyberspace.org (Anand Venkataraman)
Phil is a wonderful player. His range of shots are some of the best that one can visulize. However, I do feel that he should hasten while walking off the ground after being dismissed. I know that no player likes to go away from the batting crease after being out, but cricket is a very cultured game and players are expected to be gentlemen. I would like to see Simmo walk out quicker, and play some more memorable innings for his county, and more importantly, for the West Indies. I hope that he comes good in the forthcoming tour of Australia and gives us all the pleasure that the West Indians are know for. All the best Simmo!.
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 03:49:40
Message from crn0002@widener.edu (Chanakya)
THIS IS THE WAY TO THE TOP MAAN!! YOU REALLY DESERVE IT .....JUST DO IT ..WE ARE THERE TO CHEER YOU UP ......KEEP IT UP..,THATZ ALL!!!
Date: Tue, 15 Oct 96 15:36
Message from rasta1@bellsouth.net (Patrick Harris)
I had the pleasure of playing with Phil (Pip) Simmons as part of the West Indies Youth under 19 Tour to England in 1982. Pip was an inspirational and emotional player, he deserves this award. My congratulations to Pip. I think he should be a part of the WI tour to Australia in November.
Date: Tue, 15 Oct 96 02:55
Message from KKASHIF@BAYOU.UH.EDU (KASHIF)
I COMPLETELY ADORE THE WAY SIMMONS BATS AND THERE IS NO DOUBTING HIS BATTING PROWESS, BUT I THINK FOCUSING ON INTERNATIONAL RATHER THAN DOMESTIC AND LEAGUE PERFORMANCES SHOULD BE THE IDEA. LEAGUE CRICKETERS ARE INEVITABLY GOING TO WIN THE RACE BECAUSE THEY HAVE LESS PRESSURE TO PLAY UNDER AND EASIER TEAMS TO FACE. SIMMONS HOWEVER IS ONE OF THE FEW CRICKETERS WHO PERFORM EQUALLY IN ALL FORMS OF CRICKET.
Date: Mon, 14 Oct 96 10:09
Message from sgn@deakin.edu.au (stree naidu)
Phil Simmons is a class player but lets himself down by getting out playing silly shots, he can be dynamic
Date: Sun, 13 Oct 1996 14:58:38
Message from ianliew@ppp.nasionet.net (Ian Liew)
If he can carry his form into the Red Stripe, he'll get his recall. The standard in the English County Championship is generally lower than that of the Red Stripe and Sheffield Shield championships. Still, an outstanding performance which is most definetely above that of the average player. Riding high on his confidence, I expect to see Simmons back in the Windies team (especially as they haven't really got a solid medium pace all-rounder), and will be very surprised if he doesn't do well in the Red Stripe this season.

Go for it, Phil, we're behind you!!


Date: Sat, 12 Oct 96 20:24
Message from dfern@voyager.co.nz (Denis Fernandes)
He just keeps on getting better
Date: Fri, 11 Oct 96 21:01
Message from chandresh@gnn.com (Chandresh popat)
In his big figures, I tried to find one performance against any International team (Even Zimbabve would be O.K.) but sorry, I couldn't. It is all in county cricket. By saying this, I don't mean that he is not a good cricketer but for the award one should consider cricketer's performance at International level, where the level of competetion and opposition is much higher quality.

There was a Singer cup in Srilanka between Srilanka, Australia and India, Sahara Cup between India and Pakistan in Canada, also, Srilanka played two tests against Zimbabve.

I think, Cricketer of the month should be chosen from the competitions as mentiond above.


Date: Fri, 11 Oct 96 18:03
Message from rray@atlgr.com (Rana Ray)
Hey, it's great to hear something about Phil after so long... But honestly it's not enuf to get his test cap back..
Date: Fri, 11 Oct 1996 13:11:34
Message from akbart@isb.compol.com (Arshad Shafi)
Hi Simmons
Congratulations. You are a great player no doubt.
Date: Fri, 11 Oct 1996 11:11:13
Message from tca958349@rccvax.ait.ac.th (Santayan Roy)
It is strange that how a player like Phil Simmons is out from the present WI team. He is a fantastic batsman and a useful stroke player. In test matches he bowled very less. He should be back to the WI team at the earliest.
Date: Fri, 11 Oct 96 03:56
Message from chico@us1.channel1.com (Chico Khan)
It's good to see Phil doing well in county cricket, but we shouldn't make the mistake of extrapolating that to assume that he should have been on tour to Australia. He's never shown the ability to step up that next level and yes, he has been tried consistently and well. I almost hate to bring it up, but can you imagine what Clayton Lambert (who was kept off the W.I team by Phil's *consistent* selection) could have done with the chances that Simmons had?
Date: Thu, 10 Oct 96 21:41
Message from Prasad@briar-cliff.edu (Chris Prasad)
I think Phil Simmons days are over. He had his chances and did not take advantage of it. If Clayton Lambert who got a raw deal had those opportunities he would have feared much better.
Date: Thu, 10 Oct 96 02:00
Message from pani@hanover.edu (Gaurav Pani)
I think that Simmons is an over the hill player who did not live up to the potential that he possessed. He could have been a more prolific run getter if he'd played under better captains after Richards retired. Simmons was sometimes under used as a bowler by te West Indian team who were stuck up with their pace battery which has already lost the bite that it once had. As an openng batsman he had too much of pressure on him in trying to live up to the reputation that GG and Desmond Haynes had brought to opening West Indian Batsmen.
Date: Wed, 9 Oct 96 23:43
Message from rajiv@navix-inc.com (Rajiv Pande)
No disrespect to Phil Simmons (he is an attractive strokemaker) but he certainly cannot be compared to the likes of Wally Hammond. Hammond was a legend with the bat. Phil Simmons has a rough time finding a spot on the West indian XI let alone be compared to one of the greatest bats of all time.
Date: Wed, 9 Oct 96 21:30
Message from ssenthil@cs.umanitoba.ca (Senthil Subramanian)
It's been GREAT to note that Phil is doing good.
A GUSTY one-day performer.......
Date: Wed, 9 Oct 96 04:01
Message from jeanette@trinidad.net (M.G.Zakour)
I think Simmons' omission on the W.I. team to Australia is a big mistake.While he has been inconsistent at test level, I believe he was never used properly. He should be a #5 or#6 bat and he should bowl a lot more. I could never understand why he did not bowl more in test cricket.

It seems now that Simmons' test career is over and W.I. would certainly be poorer without him.

GOOD LUCK PIP.


Date: Tue, 8 Oct 96 06:30
Message from carl.quallis@twi.com (carl quallis)

Clearly,the W/I should look at Phil Simmons for the Aussie tour. It's not too late. Phil reminds me of the American athletes. He seems to be peaking in his 30's and he's in excellent shape physically. He's needed at the top of our batting in the one day games and his bowling will be an asset. One of the reasons we kept changing our openers in the World Cup is because there was no specialist opening batsman who could hit the ball hard and over the field in the opening overs. I would go with Campbell and Samuels and even Griffith in the tests and see how they fare but with Simmons at #1,Lara at #3,Hooper at #4 supported by Chanderpaul and Adams along with our bowling attack, I like the West Indies chances against the world in any one day series. A word of caution though to all Phil Simmons band wagonist fans; English county cricket performances never was and never should be used as a barometer for selection to the most prestigious team in test cricket.


Date: Mon, 7 Oct 96 16:47
Message from hubert.gray@sap-ag.de (Hubert Gray)
Yo Phil, congrats on your performances in County Cricket. Appartently you have found your level of competence. Please remain there. You owe the West Indies TEST team so much for your past mediocrities that it behooves you not to seek selection for another maroon cap,ever.
Date: Sun, 6 Oct 96 05:43
Message from raja@cs.purdue.edu (Jeydev)
Simmons is one of the coolest players in the circuit. He looks relaxed even under pressure and the way he chews the gum often remindes me of Viv Richards :)
Date: Sat, 5 Oct 96 22:32
Message from zafamin@inforamp.net (Zaf Amin)
He needs to stay and play permanently in England since we do not need him at all on the West Indian side again in the future.
He has all the makings of the worlds greatest county player.
Date: Sat, 5 Oct 96 19:10
Message from wmorgan1@juno.com
Phil Simmons is an example of hard work and determination in a cricketer. He has overcome serious injury to become the consistent star he is now. The West Indies would be better served having him in Australia than either Carl Hooper or Roland Holder. Phil will try to win back his place in the WI team when the Indians tour the Caribbean in 1997.

Simmons provided encouragement to his county teamates throughout the just concluded season and deserved to be the county player of the year. He always puts team before self. Very commendable.


Date: Sat, 5 Oct 96 02:15
Message from gansine@netra.mysterynet.mb.ca. (Glen ansine)
Simmons is an excellent one day cricketer. He should have been selected for the Australian tour.
Date: Fri, 4 Oct 96 15:05 BST
Message from daved@its-menz.cc.monash.edu.au (David Dyte)
Phil Simmons- what a guy! I'm sure Pakistan and Durham will never forget him. And he had possibly the most interesting hairstyle in international cricket...

Date-stamped : 13 Apr1998 - 18:39