UCB sacks Simons

South African cricket coach Eric Simons was axed from his job Friday after a string of dismal performances which saw the country slip from second to sixth and eighth in world Test and one-day rankings.

"The United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCB) have reached a mutually acceptable agreement with national coach Eric Simons ... in which his contract will be terminated with immediate effect," the UCB said in a statement.

"Simons, who became coach in September 2002, has been under increasing pressure in recent months to produce positive results," the UCB said.

"Unfortunately those results were not forthcoming."

The embattled coach came under fire as South Africa, once ranked second in both Test and one-day internationals behind Australia, failed to make any impact in last year's Cricket World Cup.

The Proteas were blown away in September at the ICC Champions Trophy by Brian Lara's West Indies, failing to make it to the semi-finals of the competition.

They have also lost 11 of their 12 recent one-day internationals, logging a win only against lowly Bangladesh.

Apart from Simons' resignation, team manager Tim Southey was also shown the door.

"Simons and Southey were part of a review process ... and it was decided that, in the best interests of both parties and South African cricket, their contracts be terminated," the UCB said.

Simons said in a statement that he was "immensely disappointed" but accepted the decision.

"These have been very tough times for the national team and I acknowledge that we performed below expectations," he said.

"I accept that in times like this tough decisions have to be made," he added.

A successor to Simons had not yet been appointed but the names of former national player Ray Jennings, who now coaches the South Africa A team as well as former Aussie captain Steve Waugh have been bandied.