Simmons bemoans inadequate build-up by Windies IPL players for New Zealand series

West Indies head coach Phil Simmons says the circumstances surrounding the players from the Indian Premier League (IPL) is not ideal but the coaching staff is making the best of it.

The likes of limited overs captain Kieron Pollard, Jason Holder, Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul, Sheldon Cottrell and Fabian Allen are yet to join the rest of the squad after arriving from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over a week ago.

The players are still in quarantine in Christchurch and will be able to join the rest of the squad on the eve of the first T20 International.

In the meantime, Simmons has bemoaned the fact that the Windies have fallen to 9th in the world Twenty20 standing. Since winning a second world T20 title in 2016, the Windies have won only 13 of their 47 games, leaving them bottom of all the full member nations.

Simmons says this must improve ahead of next year's T20 World Cup. The first T20 is set for Friday morning Jamaica time.