West Indies coach Phil Simmons has found it painful watching Big Bash League

SEEING some of the Caribbean’s biggest names go around in Australia’s Big Bash League instead of the Test side is a hard thing to watch for West Indies coach Phil Simmons.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 19: Chris Gayle of the Renegades plays a shot during the Big Bash League match between the Brisbane Heat and the Melbourne Renegades at The Gabba on December 19, 2015 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

AFTER putting in long days in the nets trying to coax better performances from his West Indies’ side, coach Phil Simmons is taking pleasure and pain from watching the Big Bash League on TV.

Seeing some of the Caribbean’s biggest names go around in Australia’s domestic Twenty20 competition instead of the Test side is a hard thing to watch.

“I’m totally frustrated,” Simmons said on Wednesday.

“It’s enjoyable to see Andre Russell bowling at 140 clicks, and Dwayne Bravo hitting three or four sixes, and Chris Gayle back in it.

“It is frustrating that we don’t have them here playing the Test series.

“But it’s something that’s been going on for a while and it’s up to the administration to work out how we get to the stage of let’s say New Zealand because they have similar things and they’re getting all their players to play.

“It’s up to our administration and our bosses to find out how is the best way that we can get these guys on the pitch.”

Twenty20’s all-time leading runscorer and former Windies’ Test skipper Gayle is playing for the Melbourne Renegades this summer.

The 36-year-old batsman had a back operation earlier this year, although his recent form suggests he’s still an international-standard player.

Chris Gayle in action for the Renegades in the Big Bash League. Picture: Getty Images

Gayle’s only interest in the Melbourne Boxing Day Test was a half-hearted reference upon his arrival in Melbourne last week that he had a white shirt in his bag, just in case he was needed for the Melbourne Test.

While Gayle and others stage occasional public battles with the board, Simmons’ task is to motivate his eighth-ranked side to bring a greater intensity to the Melbourne Test match after their innings loss in Hobart earlier this month.

“I don’t think you have to do anything to get them excited for Boxing Day Test match,” Simmons said.

“Everybody knows and they’ve watched before and seen Boxing Day Test matches. It’s huge for Australian cricket.”

The Windies must replace injured quick Shannon Gabriel. Simmons says leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo is a possible inclusion.

But it’s the batting that is really causing the coach grey hairs.

Chairman of selectors and Test great Clive Lloyd was on hand at training yesterday and is playing a mentoring role, Simmons says.

“I have confidence in the fact that we’ve been working hard on certain things and as you go along you see them getting better,” Simmons said.

“It gives me confidence to know that guys are thinking about what they want to improve on, especially the batting.”

Originally published as West Indies coach Phil Simmons has found it painful watching Big Bash League