Former Australian cricket captain and coach Bob Simpson dies aged 89
Photo:
Getty Images / Hamish Blair
Former Australian men's Test cricket captain Bob Simpson has died aged 89.
Simpson, who was born in Sydney in 1936, played 62 Tests for Australia, scoring 4689 runs - with 10 centuries and 27 50s - and taking 71 wickets.
Simpson was just 16 when he made his first-class debut for New South Wales against Victoria.
He played 257 first class matches combined for New South Wales and Western Australia, scoring 21,029 runs at an average of 56.22 with 60 centuries and 100 half centuries and a top score of 359. He took 383 catches and 349 wickets at an average of 38.07 with best figures of 5-33 with his leg-spin.
He made his Test debut against South Africa in Johannesburg in 1957, and his first century came in an Ashes Test at Old Trafford in 1964 - Simpson went on to score 311.
Simpson is one of only seven Australians to make a triple-century.
He was also one of the greatest slip-fielders the game has seen, taking 110 catches.
Simpson averaged nearly a catch per innings, the greatest average of a non-wicketkeeper in Test history.
Bob Simpson's extraordinary service to Australian cricket spanned generations. 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.
May he rest in peace.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was among the first to pay tribute to Simpson.
An opener, Simpson's ongoing partnership with Bill Lawry included a record 382-run opening stand against the West Indies in 1965.
He captained Australia in 39 Tests in three stints between 1963 and 1978.
After nearly a decade away from Test cricket, he was called out of retirement at the age of 41 after the arrival of World Series Cricket in 1977.
He played a home series against India, and a tour against the West Indies in the Caribbean.
He went on to coach the national team for more than a decade - under his mentorship, Australia rebounded to win the 1987 Cricket World Cup, several Ashes series, including the regaining of the urn in England in 1989, and winning the Frank Worrell Trophy for the first time in 1995, beating the West Indies in the Caribbean.
Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird paid tribute to Simpson.
"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," Baird said in a statement.
"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 era for Australian cricket.
"On behalf of Cricket Australia, I would like to express my warmest condolences to Bob's family, friends, teammates, and all those touched by his vast contribution to cricket."
Cricket Australia said the Australian men's team will pay tribute to Simpson with a moment's silence before tonight's T20 international against South Africa in Cairns and will also wear black arm-bands.
After stepping down from the role in 1996, Simpson was a consultant to the Indian national team in the late 90s, and coached the Netherlands national team for a period.
He received numerous honours, including his induction into the Australian Sporting Hall of Fame in 1985, to 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, and an Officer of the order in 2007.
- ABC
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Former Australian cricket captain and coach Bob Simpson dies aged 89
Bob Simpson (left) and Rahul Dravid at the Sydney Cricket Ground on 13 October 2005 in Sydney, Australia. Photo: Getty Images / Hamish Blair Former Australian men's Test cricket captain Bob Simpson has died aged 89. Simpson, who was born in Sydney in 1936, played 62 Tests for Australia, scoring 4689 runs - with 10 centuries and 27 50s - and taking 71 wickets. Simpson was just 16 when he made his first-class debut for New South Wales against Victoria. He played 257 first class matches combined for New South Wales and Western Australia, scoring 21,029 runs at an average of 56.22 with 60 centuries and 100 half centuries and a top score of 359. He took 383 catches and 349 wickets at an average of 38.07 with best figures of 5-33 with his leg-spin. He made his Test debut against South Africa in Johannesburg in 1957, and his first century came in an Ashes Test at Old Trafford in 1964 - Simpson went on to score 311. Simpson is one of only seven Australians to make a triple-century. He was also one of the greatest slip-fielders the game has seen, taking 110 catches. Simpson averaged nearly a catch per innings, the greatest average of a non-wicketkeeper in Test history. Bob Simpson's extraordinary service to Australian cricket spanned generations. 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. May he rest in peace. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was among the first to pay tribute to Simpson. An opener, Simpson's ongoing partnership with Bill Lawry included a record 382-run opening stand against the West Indies in 1965. He captained Australia in 39 Tests in three stints between 1963 and 1978. After nearly a decade away from Test cricket, he was called out of retirement at the age of 41 after the arrival of World Series Cricket in 1977. He played a home series against India, and a tour against the West Indies in the Caribbean. He went on to coach the national team for more than a decade - under his mentorship, Australia rebounded to win the 1987 Cricket World Cup, several Ashes series, including the regaining of the urn in England in 1989, and winning the Frank Worrell Trophy for the first time in 1995, beating the West Indies in the Caribbean. Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird paid tribute to Simpson. "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," Baird said in a statement. "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 era for Australian cricket. "On behalf of Cricket Australia, I would like to express my warmest condolences to Bob's family, friends, teammates, and all those touched by his vast contribution to cricket." Cricket Australia said the Australian men's team will pay tribute to Simpson with a moment's silence before tonight's T20 international against South Africa in Cairns and will also wear black arm-bands. After stepping down from the role in 1996, Simpson was a consultant to the Indian national team in the late 90s, and coached the Netherlands national team for a period. He received numerous honours, including his induction into the Australian Sporting Hall of Fame in 1985, to 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, and an Officer of the order in 2007. - ABC
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