Phil Simmons was an explosive Trinidadian allrounder whose Test record does him no sort of justice. His one Test hundred came against tough opposition at Melbourne in 1992-93, but he made just four other fifties from his 26 starts, most of them as opener. His finest achievement was probably taking Leicestershire to the County Championship with a towering season in 1996, when he collected 1244 runs and 56 wickets - and 35 catches, most of which landed in his bucket-sized hands at slip. Usually a medium-pacer, Simmons bowled quickly that year, reportedly outpacing Devon Malcolm on their one meeting. As a youngster on the 1988 West Indian tour of England, Simmons was hit on the head by David Lawrence in fading light at Bristol: his heart stopped and he needed emergency brain surgery before making a full recovery. He went into coaching, landing the poison chalice of looking after Zimbabwe. Inevitably it ended in tears, and he was sacked in August 2005 amid reports that he was too nice to handle the cut and thrust of running an international side. But a new opportunity arose two years later when he was appointed Ireland's head coach after the 2007 World Cup.
Will Luke, May 2007

Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1997

• Simmons delight at Warwickshire scalp (May 17, 2008)
  
• Ireland promise to play 'good cricket' (Mar 17, 2008)
  
• In through the slamming door (Feb 7, 2008)
  
• Faith no more for home-grown coaches (Oct 22, 2007)
  
• Tough at the top (Sep 1, 2007)
  

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Feb 7, 2008 Courtney Walsh celebrates Craig McDermott's wicket © Getty Images

May 12, 2006 Phil Simmons faces the media in Trinidad © The Nation

Mar 12, 2005 Phil Simmons takes a fielding practice © AFP

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