Phil Simmons was an utility all-rounder but is remembered more for being at the receiving end of one of the deadliest injuries on a cricket field - he was smacked on the head by a hostile David Lawrence delivery amid bad light in Bristol in 1988. Simmons' heart stopped for a brief while and he recovered after an emergency operation to relieve pressure from his brain.

In his early days, Simmons was active participant in all sports but cricket was his leading suit. Around six years after his first-class debut, Simmons was given his Test debut against India in Chennai in 1988. He had honed his all-round skills at English County cricket, guiding Leicestershire to the County Championship title for only the second time in their history. Much of the edifice of Leicestershire's success was built on Simmons' 1244 runs and 56 wickets in addition to 35 catches.

The injury then happened but it did not deter him as Simmons returned to top-flight cricket for the tour to England in 1991. Much like his hero, Gordon Greenidge, Simmons was an enterprising batsman but struggled to replicate the former's consistency. He managed just a solitary hundred in 47 innings, his 110 arriving against the Aussies in the 1992 Boxing Day Test at Melbourne.

He was more effective in ODIs, hitting 5 centuries at a brisk clip but the crowning glory ensued with the ball when he produced a remarkable spell of 10-8-3-4 versus Pakistan, inspiring his side to protect a smallish total.

Two decades have flown by since then but Simmons still owns the most economical spell in the history of ODI cricket (among those who completed their maximum quota of 10 overs). After retiring from all forms of cricket in 2002 Simmons took to coaching. He endured a torrid stint with Zimbabwe before taking charge of Ireland after their impressive performance in the 2007 World Cup.

Following his uncle Phil's footsteps, Lendl Simmons has grown to become a fine all-rounder for West Indies while staying game to don the wicket-keeping gear as well.

By Deivarayan Muthu