Former Australia captain and coach Simpson dies at 89
Simpson played 62 tests between 1957 and 1978, scoring 4,869 runs, including 10 hundreds, and claimed 71 wickets with his leg spin following his debut on a tour of South Africa.
Simpson, one of the greatest slip fielders the game has ever seen, initially retired from the game in 1968 before returning as test captain at the age of 41 after several front-line Australian players had joined the World Series Cricket in 1977.
"Bob Simpson was one of the greats of Australian cricket, and this is a sad day for anyone fortunate to have watched him play or who benefited from his wisdom," said Cricket Australia Chair Mike Baird.
"As a brilliant opening batter, incredible slips fielder and handy spin bowler, Bob was a mainstay of a very strong Australian team in the 1960s, and he became a leader across the game as Australian and New South Wales captain and as a coach."
"Bob's decision to come out of retirement to successfully lead the Australian team during the advent of World Series Cricket in 1977 was a wonderful service to the game, and his coaching set the foundation for a golden generation for Australian cricket."
As coach, Simpson is credited with instilling discipline in an Australia side led by Allan Border, which went on to win the 1987 World Cup and regained both the Ashes and the Frank Worrell Trophy.
Leg-spin great Shane Warne called Simpson the best coach he played under and someone who helped his development.
Simpson also coached Lancashire and the Netherlands and worked as a consultant with the Indian team in the late 1990s.
"Bob Simpson's extraordinary service to Australian cricket spanned generations," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote on X.
"As a player, captain and then era-defining coach, he set the highest of standards for himself and the champions he led. He will be long remembered by the game he loved."
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The Guardian
a minute ago
- The Guardian
Bob Simpson obituary
They call it 'catching swallows', the capacity to sight from the edge of a cricket bat a five-and-a-half ounce missile, often propelled at 90 miles per hour, and then, a fraction of a second later – only a few yards away, and with bare hands – pluck it from the air. It requires the reactions of a Formula One driver, the eyes of a hawk, the concentration of a chess grandmaster, and a perfect catching technique. From it emerges a mental picture of a supreme fielder diving from his habitual position at first slip to take yet another stunner for Australia. In the history of international cricket, there has been no more spectacularly efficient slip-fielder than Bob Simpson, who has died aged 89. In 62 Test matches for Australia between 1957 and 1978, he took 110 catches, a success rate of 0.94 per innnings, unmatched not just for his country, but anywhere before or since. It was his astounding catching that defined him as a cricketer, but he was a gifted all-rounder, too. He formed the most consistently productive of all Australian opening partnerships, with Bill Lawry; he was the first player since Don Bradman to make a triple century for his country, which he managed against England in 1964; and he twice took five wickets in an innings with his legbreaks and googlies. In all Tests, he made 4,869 runs at an average of 46.81, with 10 centuries, and took 71 wickets at 42.26 apiece. Other Australian pairings have provided more aggregate runs than Simpson and Lawry, and certainly there have been those considerably more spectacular than that grindingly efficient pair. Their alliance provided an average 60.95 runs over the 62 times they went to the wicket together. Previously in the game's history, the England partnerships between Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe averaged an astonishing 87.81, and that between Hobbs and Wilfred Rhodes 61.31. Over a period of more than four decades, however, Simpson's contribution to Australian cricket was multifaceted. He captained Australia in 39 Tests, including a spell of 10 matches in the mid-1970s when, aged 41, he emerged from retirement to lead the team during the hiatus caused by Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket. He became Australia's first full time coach, transforming, through hard work and iron discipline, a rag-bag side into the best team in the world. He also worked in the media as a columnist and commentator, and as a committee man with the International Cricket Council. Simpson was born in Sydney, to Scottish immigrant parents, Sarah (nee Duncan) and William, and raised in the suburb of Marrickville. His father, known as Jock, was a printer who had played football for Stenhousemuir in the Scottish League. Bob's older brothers, Bill and Jack, encouraged him to play cricket, although he was also good at golf, tennis, baseball, squash and football during his schooldays at Tempe high school. In the 1952-53 season, while still more than a fortnight shy of his 17th birthday, he made his first class debut, for New South Wales against Victoria, the second youngest player ever to be selected for the state. Limited opportunity meant that it was two years until he scored his maiden first-class century, 104 against Victoria, as a middle order batsman, and he spent four seasons from 1956-57 with Western Australia. He toured New Zealand with Australia in 1957 and then South Africa the following winter, making his Test debut in the first Test in Johannesburg. His early Test career was unconvincing, however, and it was the great Australian left-hander Neil Harvey who advised him to try opening the batting. It coincided with an altered technique to help cope with the fast short delivery. It was in the fourth Test at Old Trafford in 1961 that he began his partnership with Lawry – the ground on which, three years later, and by then Australia captain, he was to register his first Test century and start the transformation from a modest batsman to a very fine one. By this point, Simpson had reached his 30th Test, and his career average stood at a modest 35.93. Now, though, he marked it by batting for more than 13 hours, longer than any Australian had managed in first-class cricket, to make an unbeaten 311 – an innings that scarcely pleased the spectators (the match, in which each side batted the other into oblivion, was one of the dullest of all draws), but which ensured Australia retained the Ashes. It transformed him: for the second half of his career, he averaged 50.89. By the end of the 1967-68 season, following a home series against India, Simpson had decided to retire to pursue a career in journalism and public relations. However, with the advent of World Series Cricket in 1977, he was persuaded to return, and led Australia once more – a team devoid of all its stars with the exception of Jeff Thomson – first at home to India, where he made centuries in the first and fifth Tests, and then in the Caribbean, an altogether more daunting proposition. By the end of 1978, the Australian board had replaced him with Graham Yallop. In 1986, with the national team in some disarray, having gone 14 matches without a win in the previous three years, the Australian cricket board turned once more to Simpson as their first head coach, with Allan Border as captain. As a coach, Simpson was essentially a traditionalist who concentrated on the fundamental batting, bowling, and fielding aspects of the game rather than the trend towards computer analysis and biomechanics. He took over a young side, and through the same ethos of strong discipline and hard work that sustained his own career, he transformed them over the next decade into a formidable team, winning the 1987 World Cup in India – something which proved a catalyst for future success – regaining the Ashes in England in 1989, and, with the West Indies suffering their first series defeat in 15 years in 1994-95, now heading the finest side in the world. He left his Australian role in 1996 and acted as a consultant to India, coached the Netherlands and then Lancashire (2000-2001), having previously in the county championship coached Leicestershire. His final legacy, and an important one, will be his contribution to the ICC committee formed in 2001 to combat the increase in illegal bowling actions. In 2004 he was strongly critical of the ICC, arguing that it was soft; in continuing to sanction dubious actions, he said, it was nurturing more of them through imitation. A decade on, and his prescience finally bore fruit. Simpson was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1965. He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985, the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2006 and the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2013. He was made a member of the Order of Australia in 1978, promoted to officer in 2007. He received an Australian Sports Medal in 2000 and a Centenary Medal in 2001. In 1958 he married Meg McCarthy, and they had two daughters, Kim and Debbie. Robert Baddeley Simpson, cricketer and journalist, born 3 February 1936; died 16 August 2025
Scottish Sun
30 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
‘He shouldn't have been in there' – Eddie Hearn gives brutally honest view on Dillian Whyte after he's mauled by Itauma
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EDDIE HEARN insists Dillian Whyte had no business being in the ring with Moses Itauma. The Brixton Body Snatcher was decimated by the 20-year-old prospect in their Saudi showdown in a mere 119 seconds. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Dillian Whyte was decimated by Moses Itauma in their Saudi Arabian showdown on Saturday Credit: GETTY 4 Itauma took out the veteran heavyweight in just under two minutes Credit: REUTERS 4 Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn believes Whyte shouldn't have been in the ring with the undefeated 20-year-old Credit: GETTY Itauma hurt the veteran early doors and sent him hurtling to the canvas with a punishing right hook. Whyte, 37, rose to his feet, but referee Mikael Hook saved him being rendered unconscious by waving off the contest. And Matchroom Boxing chief Hearn insists the former WBC heavyweight title challenger, at this stage of his career, shouldn't have been put against a young and hungry lion in Itauma. In an interview with Boxing News, he said of Itauma's stunning win: "[I was] very impressed. "But I feel very sad for Dillian. He shouldn't have been in there, if I'm being honest. 'That was the worst matchup for him with no activity. I feel like that was always going to happen. "Knowing Dillian at 38 years old, I found it hard to watch. That was one of the reasons he took the fight. The money was great." Hearn expected Whyte to be up against it in the opening rounds but admits he didn't expect him to wilt so quickly. SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN 4 Moses Itauma is now a bona fide player in the heavyweight division after his KO of Dillian Whyte Credit: GETTY He continued: "Dillian is brave. He always believes he can win, but we always said those first three or four rounds were going to be horrendous for him. "I didn't expect them to be that horrendous. Moses Itauma leaves sports psychologist baffled as he reveals boxing is his 'drug' ahead of Dillian Whyte fight 'I just feel the punch resistance [wasn't there]. It was a lot of fast cupping shots on the side of the head, but it wasn't like [huge shots]. "He didn't look good on his feet. "And someone as good and as special as Moses, it's going to be really difficult if you can't get through the start." Itauma well and truly put the heavyweight division on notice with his destruction of Whyte. And the Chatham clubber is willing to take on all comers in the fast-changing division. "But I feel very sad for Dillian. He shouldn't have been in there, if I'm being honest." Eddie Hearn on Dillian Whyte's loss to Moses Itauma He said: "I thank Dillian, it takes two to tangle and he gave me the opportunity to showcase my skills. 'To be honest, for the first two minutes the nerves were there. "But then I saw an opening that I could not miss and I executed the game plan. 'What's next? Honestly, I will fight anyone they put in front of me. 'If I am honest, Joseph Parker and Agit Kabayel deserved their shot, but I would jump in with them lot.'
Telegraph
31 minutes ago
- Telegraph
How Australia stunned the Springboks with a comeback for the ages
Some matches follow the most predictable script. Others flip it in spectacular style. Australia's exploits at Ellis Park on Saturday belong to the latter category. Their comeback from 22-0 down against the Springboks, at a venue where they had not won since 1963, was jaw-dropping to witness in real time. It has taken a while to digest and decipher, too. Notwithstanding signs of progress over the British and Irish Lions series, a Wallabies victory was difficult to foresee. In the 19th minute, when Siya Kolisi surged over with South Africa rampant, a triumph for Joe Schmidt's men over the back-to-back world champions seemed impossible. An hour and 38 unanswered points later, Australia had stunned their hosts. This is how they did it. Early encouragement At full-time, a beaming James O'Connor diplomatically described the opening quarter as a 'scratchy' one for his team. The fly-half insisted, however, that there had been good signs. Schmidt offered a window into the mindset at half-time, when the Wallabies were 22-5 down. The experienced head coach reminded his players that they had won the second 20 minutes 5-0. Repeat that in the third quarter and they were in the game. Australia were troubling their rivals' rush defence even amid South Africa's early blitzkrieg. Here, in the fifth minute when they are already 7-0 behind, Australia bounce back towards the far touchline two phases after a line-out on that side of the field. Having carried in midfield from the set piece, Len Ikitau returns to his feet and wraps around Tom Hooper to dink a left-footed chip in behind Edwill van der Merwe: This next play comes from Australia's own half just beyond the half-hour mark. Max Jorgensen, trailing from the blindside wing, is the man to watch. O'Connor's pass to Ikitau is fired across two back-rowers, Fraser McReight and Hooper: Jorgensen then helps overload the defence by taking a pull-back from Ikitau that goes behind the run of Joseph Suaalii: As it happens, a kick through from Tom Wright just dribbled over the try-line into the dead-ball area in this instance. But there was enough for the Wallabies to feel confident if they could keep their composure. A vital response Australia's first try was instigated by a box-kick from Nic White, the 35-year-old scrum-half who has postponed his retirement. Jorgensen does brilliantly to regather the ball ahead of Manie Libbok in a catch that is reminiscent of his try in the first Test of the Lions series: Although an in-field offload does not go to a gold shirt, the Wallabies react well. Billy Pollard chops down Malcolm Marx and James Slipper swoops to jackal after Lood de Jager has taken out White to leave the ball exposed: Breakdown disruption and accuracy in possession was a vital pillar of this display. South Africa lost five of their 102 attacking rucks, with McReight typically influential, whereas Australia lost just one of 77. Indeed, they hit touch from this penalty and zig-zagged through seven phases. Will Skelton and Taniela Tupou were prominent, but the Springboks were not significantly dented: Schmidt teams do tend to be able to retain the ball for long sequences and at the seventh ruck (R7 on the map), South Africa are penalised when Kwagga Smith dips towards the ball in a manner that Ben O'Keeffe does not condone: With penalty advantage, the Wallabies score through Dylan Pietsch: Rewinding slightly, watch Ikitau and O'Connor scan the Springboks' defence on the scoring phase: They back themselves to play through it, with Ikitau feeding his team-mate and then arcing around to receive an offload that O'Connor throws blind. This camera angle shows the vision and dexterity: O'Connor, on the way to Leicester Tigers for the upcoming season, had not featured for Australia in a Test match for three years and had not played at all since June 21. No wonder he called this his favourite game for the Wallabies. In the second half, an emboldened Australia kept chipping away. Disciplined but desperate disruption Schmidt is renowned for teaching players to read referees and for Australia to concede just four penalties was extraordinary, because they fought for everything. Such a low tally of penalties reflects their resilience in the scrum and around the field. As well as scrapping on the floor, they caused South Africa to lose five of 16 line-outs. Here, just before half-time, Wright trusts Andrew Kellaway to drift across and tackle Kolisi. Ikitau keeps covering and fells Andre Esterhuizen when an offload is thrown inside. Wright mops up the loose ball and Van der Merwe is penalised for flopping on top of a prone opponent: This next clip comes from the 50th minute, with Australia 22-12 down and five metres from their own line. Eben Etzebeth lines up a carry into two far smaller men in Jorgensen and Kellaway. You can also see Tate McDermott, moonlighting on the wing. Note the starting position of Hooper: He swings around to arrive at the tackle area and, because Franco Mostert has driven down to the ground, Hooper is able to address the ball. The Exeter Chiefs-bound back-rower absorbs the attempted clear-out of Ox Nche and shows a strong lift to O'Keeffe, earning the penalty: While Ikitau was off the pitch tending to a cut, Australia assembled a centre partnership of Suaalii and Kellaway with McDermott on the wing. Their flexibility under pressure was highly impressive. Suaalii's interception came while this makeshift back line was on the pitch. A few minutes previously, he gets a look at Libbok's expansive distribution from close to the edge of the defensive line: When South Africa bid to impart width a little later, Suaalii picks off a somewhat rushed pass. Pieter-Steph du Toit and Marx are in a huge amount of space… …but Suaalii's opportunism pays off handsomely. Attacking principles pay off Sometimes a side will change tack to haul themselves back into a contest. More often, though, it pays to stay patient and keep the courage of your convictions. It felt like the Wallabies trusted their primary plans to come off rather than pivoting drastically away from them. In the first half, for example, Harry Wilson was rocked by a two-man tackle from Marco van Staden and Esterhuizen after a short tip-pass from Nick Frost: He kept offering himself as a flat runner, though, and had his reward when Australia burst through the blitz thanks to Angus Bell's short ball. Nche is flat-footed and Etzebeth is pressing past the ball towards Wright. Wilson's angle dissects those two forwards beautifully: If you can keep your nerve, it is possible to pick holes through the middle of an aggressive defence. Bell, a bustling runner, was part of a bench that comprehensively eclipsed the Springboks replacements. He was integral to Wilson's second try, moving the ball towards Wright after White's ballooning box-kick is recovered by the effervescent duo of Jorgensen and Hooper: Wilson's tireless support rewards the evasion of Wright, who is formidably slippery in these situations: And Australia extended their advantage from the next restart, which is superbly taken by a soaring Suaalii: A couple of phases later, Bell carves past several defenders… …and South Africa end up with both centres close to the near touchline with openside wing Canan Moodie. Libbok is in the back-field with Damian Willemse, leaving Kurt-Lee Arendse in a vulnerable position on the far 15-metre line. Etzebeth and Du Toit are mobile athletes, but O'Connor clearly senses a chance to release Jorgensen – because South Africa are likely to stay aggressive and push from out to in: Sure enough, the Springboks do keep pressing. That makes their line narrower and a looped pass releases Jorgensen, who confounds Libbok with mesmeric footwork: Australia's last try neatly encapsulated their blend of defiance and dynamism. It begins from a quite perilous situation. Suaalii has gone hunting for another interception but Willemse comes away with the ball. Zane Nonggorr, the replacement tighthead prop, and Hooper are in the middle of a disjointed defensive line and South Africa have a fleet of backs poised to break out. Watch Jorgensen: He stays composed and backpedals, keeping his eye on the ball-carrier as Esterhuizen trucks up the pitch. When a pass is delivered to Jesse Kriel, Jorgensen spins and sprints. This forces Kriel into a hooked pass, which Esterhuizen cannot hold: Wright has another unstructured scenario, and dances through to score: Celebrations were somewhat muted, because the Wallabies know that they must front up in Cape Town next week. South Africa will have been profoundly stung by this result. Rassie Erasmus was fiercely critical at the final whistle and will no doubt lead a forthright review. Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe and Handre Pollard may return to the Springboks line-up. Wilson and Pietsch, meanwhile, appeared to pick up worrying injuries for the Wallabies. The odds will be stacked against Australia again. But after a miraculous evening in Johannesburg, which showcased rare steel and togetherness as well as brilliant attack, they would not have it any other way.
