Joel McKenzie Simmonds (born 27 January 1976) is a former Nevisian cricketer who played for the Leeward Islands in West Indian domestic cricket. He was a wicket-keeper and right-handed batsman.
From Gingerland parish, Simmonds played for the Leewards under-19 team in three consecutive editions (1993, 1994, and 1995) of the West Indies Youth Championships, captaining the team in the 1995 tournament.Miscellaneous matches played by Joel Simmonds (17) – CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 June 2013. He did not make his first-class debut for the Leewards until the 1999–2000 season,First-class matches played by Joel Simmonds (12) – CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 June 2013. replacing usual keeper Ridley Jacobs, who was on tour with the West Indies at the time.Fielding in Busta Cup 1999/00 (order by dismissals) – CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 June 2013. Simmonds played a further six matches the following season,First-class batting and fielding in each season by Joel Simmonds – CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 June 2013. and against the Windward Islands in January 2001 scored his highest first-class score.Windward Islands v Leeward Islands, Busta Cup 2000/01 – CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 June 2013. This innings of 54 runs included a partnership of 100 runs with Kerry Jeremy (70 not out) for the ninth wicket, a team record against the Windwards.Highest partnerships for Leeward Islands against Windward Islands – CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 June 2013. However, Simmonds played only two matches in each of the two following seasons, with Jason Williams increasingly favoured when Jacobs was on international duty. His last first-class match came in February 2003, against Guyana.
Simmonds did not play any further matches at a major level until he was selected to appear for Nevis in the inaugural 2006 edition of the Stanford 20/20.Twenty20 matches played by Joel Simmonds (5) – CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 June 2013. Nevis won its first two matches to progress to the semi-final round, and against Trinidad and Tobago, Simmonds top-scored with 65 not out from 47 balls, an innings which included three sixes. However, Nevis were only able to record 136/9 from their 20 overs, losing the match by 74 runs.Nevis v Trinidad and Tobago, Stanford Twenty20 2006 (Semi-Final) – CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 June 2013. Partially based on this form, Simmonds was selected to keep wicket for the Leewards in the 2007–08 KFC Cup, playing the only three List A matches of his career.List A matches played by Joel Simmonds (3) – CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 June 2013. He was again selected for Nevis in the 2008 edition of the Stanford 20/20, and took over from the retired Stuart Williams as the team's captain. In the team's first-round match, against Montserrat, Simmonds scored 37 runs and recorded two dismissals, for which he was named man of the match.Nevis send Montserrat crashing out – ESPNcricinfo. Published 8 February 2008. Retrieved 7 June 2013.Montserrat v Nevis, Stanford Twenty20 2007/08 (First Round) – CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 June 2013. However, in the next match, against Jamaica, Nevis lost by eight wickets, in what was to be his final match in West Indian domestic cricket.Jamaica v Nevis, Stanford Twenty20 2007/08 (Quarter-Final) – CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 June 2013. In August 2011, Simmonds was shot during an attempted robbery at a house in Pond Hill, where he had been engaged in illegal gambling.Morton, Curtis (2011). "Simmo" recuperating – News Link Site. Published 8 August 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2013.One dead, two hospitalized in Nevis shootings – ZIZ Online. Published 1 August 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
See also List of Leeward Islands first-class cricketers List of Nevis Twenty20 cricketers
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