West Indies add Trevor Penney as assistant coach for T20 World Cup challenges

Penney, 51, has joined Phil Simmons' staff on a two-year contract and will focus on limited-overs cricket

Former Warwickshire batsman Trevor Penney will join the West Indies coaching staff in the new year, it has been announced.

Penney has agreed a two-year contract to work as an assistant coach to Phil Simmons, with a focus on helping the side defend their Men's T20 World Cup crown in the 2020 and 2021 tournaments.

The 51-year-old has previously worked with national teams including India, Sri Lanka and the Netherlands, and his most recent role on the domestic T20 circuit came with the champion Barbados Tridents during this year's Caribbean Premier League.

He will join the squad later this week as they prepare to host Ireland in a series of ODI and T20 fixtures, starting at the Kensington Oval on January 7.

"I'm thrilled and excited to be given this opportunity to work with this brilliant bunch of cricketers and staff led by [captain] Kieron Pollard and Phil Simmons," Penney commented.

"I've been lucky enough over the last few years to work with several members of the squad and the Caribbean is like home away from home for me being involved in the CPL.

"We have two big T20 World Cups coming up and it's my aim to try and improve everybody and be as good as we can and hopefully win those two major ICC events for the great people of the West Indies."

Head coach Simmons added: "Trevor is an excellent coach and has demonstrated this everywhere he has worked.

"He has huge experience with Sri Lanka and India at the highest international level, and in most T20 leagues around the world including the CPL.

"He brings enormous energy and is very well respected by all the players."

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