TTCB not empowered to discipline Simmons

TTCB not empowered to discipline Simmons
By JOEL BAILEY Wednesday, February 17 2016

THE TRINIDAD and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) is not empowered to proceed with any disciplinary measures towards batsman Lendl Simmons, who posted virtually similar controversial messages on his Facebook and Twitter pages recently.

In the wake of the TT Red Force’s 105-run hammering by hosts Guyana Jaguars in the Professional Cricket League on Monday, an account attributed to Simmons posted, “Let me say what’s on my mind, the only batsman that has a century for Trinidad in the 4 day (tournament) this season get drop, how could you explain that, and has been consistent in club cricket wit scores of 81 and 86, Jeremy Solozano keep your head up, you have a bright future don’t let these idiots break u.” And on his Twitter page, Simmons noted, “Jeremy Solozano has d only century for Trinidad in the 4 day this season get drop, how (could) u explain dat, keep ur head up pal bright future.” TT CB president Azim Bassarath, in an interview yesterday, reflected, “I heard about the first comment (Simmons made) about how the players were starving.

I haven’t heard anything about the other statement. Until I really see it, then I would be able to make a statement.” In January, the TT CB described as “unfortunate” a post Simmons made, which implied that the Red Force players were starving since there was a delay to their daily stipend.

However, concerning this recent pair of posts, Bassarath admitted, “it’s difficult for (me) to say because I don’t think we have anything in place to really take action against anybody.

“As far as we are concerned, Lendl Simmons is a free person.

He has no contract with the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board.

He hasn’t been representing (TT Red Force) now for a whole year.

So he has really no contract with the Board. We have no authority to take action against him.” Simmons retired from First Class cricket in 2015 but Bassarath noted, “he did not make himself available for the NAGICO (Super50) so it seems as though he has relinquished all cricket (ties) with the Board. So that’s the position that we are in.

“We cannot do anything or take any action against him,” added the TT CB president. “He’s a free member of the public, he could make his comments and give any opinion as the case may be.

“There are a number of people who will not be satisfied when a team is selected. We can’t satisfy everybody. There are a few people who have to select the team and everybody will not agree with the team that is selected.”