Lendl Simmons announces retirement from international cricket

Denesh Ramdin announced retirement from international cricket earlier today, and another player following him into retirement is West Indian cricketer Lendl Simmons, who broke the news from his Instagram handle. The 37-year-old made his last appearance for the national side in the T20 World Cup last year.

Simmons, who hails from a cricketing family, is the nephew of former West Indian cricketer and cricket coach Phil Simmons. The flamboyant right-hander made his debut for the national side back in 2006 in an ODI against Pakistan in Faisalabad. He blew hot and cold for the West Indies team for a number of years before establishing himself in the white-ball team.

The globe-trotting batter has been part of various successful franchises in his career. He has been a part of the five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians and was one of the driving forces behind their triumph in 2015, where he was Mumbai’s top scorer with 540 runs at an incredible average of 45 in the tournament. Known for his flexibility, the right-hand batter could play in a number of positions for the team, including opening the batting.

 

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Lendl Simmons set West Indies on their road to glory in the 2016 T20 World Cup

The West Indies fans will most notably remember their long-serving player for his incredible knock against hosts India in the 2016 T20 World Cup semi-final. He was initially ruled out of the mega event due to a back injury and was recalled to the squad only after an injury to Andre Fletcher just before the blockbuster clash against one of the favourites for the tournament.

India set a target of 193 for the Caribbean side, and the inclusion of Simmons proved to be a masterstroke as he gave West Indies a dream start in their chase with an astonishing unbeaten 82 off 51 deliveries. The Trinidadian’s knock ensured their victory in the match, making their way to the finals, which they won in dramatic sequence, thereby clinching their second T20 title, the only team to win it twice.