Simmons and Bishop the guiding lights of T&T

Two seasoned Trinidad and Tobago cricket personalities were busy in the nets over the last two days. Ian Bishop and Phil Simmons, however, no longer represent the twin-island republic on the field of play.

Instead, they are serving in new roles for the first time and devoting their energy to helping Trinidad and Tobago's cricket, and by extension, West Indies', get back to the top.

Bishop is manager of the side which oppose Barbados in their final round Busta preliminary match starting today, while Simmons is coach. Rarely have two recently retired players been in management roles in the same team simultaneously.

Bishop, 33, played the last of his 43 Tests against England at Kensington in 1998 and played for Trinidad and Tobago the following year, while Simmons, 37, made his last international appearance in the 1999 World Cup. Simmons started the season as player/coach, but dropped the first part of his title after a solitary match.

He did so knowing that he was nine runs shy of becoming the leading run-scorer in regional first-class competitions.

"It doesn't mean that much to me. It means more to me to see Trinidad and Tobago cricket get back on top," Simmons told WEEKENDSPORT.

Both Simmons and Bishop are appreciating their new roles, but while Simmons plans to pursue coaching in the long-term, Bishop does not see himself as one who wanted to get into management on a full-time basis.

"For me, it is matter of putting something back into Trinidad cricket. That's all it really has been for me - just trying to help out," Bishop said.

"It's not an ambition or a career for me. Just to help the guys and see them coming through is enough satisfaction," said Bishop, who took 161 wickets (ave. 24.27).

Trinidad and Tobago have had a mixed season and need nothing less than a victory here this weekend to maintain a chance of winning the Cup or Shield.

"It's been inconsistent, but that's what you can expect when you are trying to rebuild after losing a few players," Bishop said. "But we've seen enough good things over the course of the season and we have a young, talented bunch of players."

Simmons said he has noticed improvements.

"The positive thing is that we have started to win again," said the holder of the Level 1, 2 and 3 coaching certificates from the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Did the fact that both were new to their respective roles make their tasks more difficult?

"I wouldn't say difficult, but it has taken some time," Bishop said.

"Phil is an excellent coach and motivator. He has the inherent skills to do this type of job. He has brought out the best in the players. I hope he continues doing it for some time to come."

Simmons has every intention of doing that.

"It's a learning process. I will pick up things as I go along," said the scorer of five One-day International centuries and 1 002 Test runs (ave. 22.56) in 26 matches.