Former Australian cricket captain and coach Bob Simpson dies, aged 89
Simpson was a giant figure in Australian cricket for more than four decades, playing 62 Test matches, famously emerging from retirement at age 41 to lead Australia during the World Series Cricket era, and later becoming the nation's first full-time coach.
Along with captain Allan Border, Simpson instilled new standards of fitness and discipline to oversee an Australian renaissance that included winning the World Cup in 1987, regaining the Ashes in 1989, and beating the mighty West Indies away from home in 1995.
Cricket Australia confirmed his death to this masthead on Saturday morning.
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Sky News AU
an hour ago
- Sky News AU
The cricket world mourns Australian legend Bob Simpson following his death at 89
Former Australian men's Test cricket captain Bob Simpson also known as the cricket legend has died in Sydney aged 89. Simpson who notably played his part in rescuing Australian cricket from a dark era of struggling on the international stage became one of the most influential figures in Australia. He was known for transforming his team into a dominant force in World Cricket during the 1990s. Under Simpson, his Australian side won four consecutive Ashes series (1989, 1990-91, 1993, 1994-95) and ended the West Indies' 15-year unbeaten run in Test cricket in 1995, in enemy territory. The 89-year-old stepped down from his position as coach back in 1996. Simpson was a significant figure within Australian cricket, known as a player, coach and administrator, over four decades. The cricketer, who was born in the Harbour city in 1936, played 62 tests for Australia, scoring 4,689 runs with a batting average of 46.81 – achieving 10 centuries and 27 50s – and taking 71 wickets. It is known that Simpson is one of only seven Australians to make a triple-century with his highest ever Test score being 311. He captained Australia in 39 Tests across three periods in 1963 and 1978. Notably, Simpson came out of retirement, after not playing for 10 years, to play for the Aussie Test side at the age of 41 after Kerry Packer launched his rebel World Series Cricket series where he took most of Australia's best players with him. He played a home series against India and toured against the West Indies in the Caribbean. Simpson was inducted into the Australian Sporting Hall of Fame in 1985, the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2006, and the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2013. Tributes have flowed in following his passing and it included tributes from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who passed on his condolences describing his work as 'extraordinary service' to the world of cricket. 'Bob Simpson's extraordinary service to Australian cricket spanned generations,' he posted 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. 'May he rest in peace.' 'Wonder if the late Bob Simpson will be remembered more for revolutionising coaching in international cricket worldwide than his brilliant exploits as an all-round cricketer and captain for Australia,' cricketing journalist Bharat Sundaresan said on X. 'One of the all time greats. Sad loss.' 'RIP Bob Simpson,' Mark Bosnich posted on X. 'The little bat you signed for my Father to give to me I carried everywhere. And meeting you in England was a real honour.' Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird paid tribute to the cricketing goliath. '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." Simpson was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1978, and an Officer of the order in 2007.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Tigers stalwart has no regrets about keeping the faith
If things had gone differently late last year, Nathan Broad could easily have been lining up against Richmond on Sunday. The triple-premiership defender was almost swayed by an offer from North Melbourne. But while Liam Baker, Daniel Rioli, Shai Bolton and Jack Graham left the battling Tigers, Broad stuck fat with the club that gave him a chance as a mature-aged recruit in 2015. "It was a no-brainer at the end of the day," Broad told AAP. "This club showed faith in me, and I've returned the faith. "Now I'm just going to try and leave a legacy with this footy club and (leave it) in a better place than when I got here. "I think we're on the right path. Our leaders are doing a great job but our kids are really eager to learn. So it's a really good environment at the moment and I'm loving it. Now 32, Broad is relishing teaching the youngsters around him, hoping to help Richmond rise back up the ladder quickly. "When you're winning and you're on top and you're winning premierships, it's easier to be a leader," he said. "But when you're really challenged and things get tough, you find out more about yourself. "This footy club's really done an amazing job, really leaning into getting better, and we're not making excuses. "We want to win games of footy and we're on the right track." The Tigers (5-16) fell short by four points against St Kilda last week but are desperate to make amends against the Kangaroos (4-1-16) in Hobart on Sunday. "We're growing. We have five wins, five more than anyone thought we would. Unfortunately, (the Saints game) was one that probably slipped away," Broad said. "But if we win next week, and then finish off the year strong, it's going to be very exciting for the next few years. "It is important, winning, and you've got to find ways to win too. "The more we can win, the kids learn how to win. Sometimes you get caught in the rut of losing. "So the more we can just put our kids in these scenarios where they're in the game towards the end, it's just a valuable lesson." Broad also hopes a personal accolade can come for long-time defensive teammate Nick Vlastuin, who has starred down back this season with a league high 164 intercept possessions. "If he doesn't get an All-Australian blazer, well, jeez, I don't know what else he needs to do," Broad said. "He's top of intercepts for the whole comp, he just stands up every single week and his form's been unbelievable. "He's been stiff not to have one before, but I really, really do hope they give him one this year because he deserves it. "He's been an absolute star of the competition in general." If things had gone differently late last year, Nathan Broad could easily have been lining up against Richmond on Sunday. The triple-premiership defender was almost swayed by an offer from North Melbourne. But while Liam Baker, Daniel Rioli, Shai Bolton and Jack Graham left the battling Tigers, Broad stuck fat with the club that gave him a chance as a mature-aged recruit in 2015. "It was a no-brainer at the end of the day," Broad told AAP. "This club showed faith in me, and I've returned the faith. "Now I'm just going to try and leave a legacy with this footy club and (leave it) in a better place than when I got here. "I think we're on the right path. Our leaders are doing a great job but our kids are really eager to learn. So it's a really good environment at the moment and I'm loving it. Now 32, Broad is relishing teaching the youngsters around him, hoping to help Richmond rise back up the ladder quickly. "When you're winning and you're on top and you're winning premierships, it's easier to be a leader," he said. "But when you're really challenged and things get tough, you find out more about yourself. "This footy club's really done an amazing job, really leaning into getting better, and we're not making excuses. "We want to win games of footy and we're on the right track." The Tigers (5-16) fell short by four points against St Kilda last week but are desperate to make amends against the Kangaroos (4-1-16) in Hobart on Sunday. "We're growing. We have five wins, five more than anyone thought we would. Unfortunately, (the Saints game) was one that probably slipped away," Broad said. "But if we win next week, and then finish off the year strong, it's going to be very exciting for the next few years. "It is important, winning, and you've got to find ways to win too. "The more we can win, the kids learn how to win. Sometimes you get caught in the rut of losing. "So the more we can just put our kids in these scenarios where they're in the game towards the end, it's just a valuable lesson." Broad also hopes a personal accolade can come for long-time defensive teammate Nick Vlastuin, who has starred down back this season with a league high 164 intercept possessions. "If he doesn't get an All-Australian blazer, well, jeez, I don't know what else he needs to do," Broad said. "He's top of intercepts for the whole comp, he just stands up every single week and his form's been unbelievable. "He's been stiff not to have one before, but I really, really do hope they give him one this year because he deserves it. "He's been an absolute star of the competition in general." If things had gone differently late last year, Nathan Broad could easily have been lining up against Richmond on Sunday. The triple-premiership defender was almost swayed by an offer from North Melbourne. But while Liam Baker, Daniel Rioli, Shai Bolton and Jack Graham left the battling Tigers, Broad stuck fat with the club that gave him a chance as a mature-aged recruit in 2015. "It was a no-brainer at the end of the day," Broad told AAP. "This club showed faith in me, and I've returned the faith. "Now I'm just going to try and leave a legacy with this footy club and (leave it) in a better place than when I got here. "I think we're on the right path. Our leaders are doing a great job but our kids are really eager to learn. So it's a really good environment at the moment and I'm loving it. Now 32, Broad is relishing teaching the youngsters around him, hoping to help Richmond rise back up the ladder quickly. "When you're winning and you're on top and you're winning premierships, it's easier to be a leader," he said. "But when you're really challenged and things get tough, you find out more about yourself. "This footy club's really done an amazing job, really leaning into getting better, and we're not making excuses. "We want to win games of footy and we're on the right track." The Tigers (5-16) fell short by four points against St Kilda last week but are desperate to make amends against the Kangaroos (4-1-16) in Hobart on Sunday. "We're growing. We have five wins, five more than anyone thought we would. Unfortunately, (the Saints game) was one that probably slipped away," Broad said. "But if we win next week, and then finish off the year strong, it's going to be very exciting for the next few years. "It is important, winning, and you've got to find ways to win too. "The more we can win, the kids learn how to win. Sometimes you get caught in the rut of losing. "So the more we can just put our kids in these scenarios where they're in the game towards the end, it's just a valuable lesson." Broad also hopes a personal accolade can come for long-time defensive teammate Nick Vlastuin, who has starred down back this season with a league high 164 intercept possessions. "If he doesn't get an All-Australian blazer, well, jeez, I don't know what else he needs to do," Broad said. "He's top of intercepts for the whole comp, he just stands up every single week and his form's been unbelievable. "He's been stiff not to have one before, but I really, really do hope they give him one this year because he deserves it. "He's been an absolute star of the competition in general."
Sydney Morning Herald
3 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Another Roosters star pledges his allegiance to England
Billy Smith is poised to follow Roosters teammate Victor Radley in representing England during the upcoming Kangaroos tour – as it emerged Tino Fa'asuamaleaui is also eligible for the Lions. International eligibility has become a hot topic after Kangaroos forward Payne Haas indicated he will switch to Samoa, with Fa'asuamaleaui considering doing likewise. League officials have indicated the current eligibility rules – which preclude players representing tier-one nations England and New Zealand from being selected for State of Origin – will be reviewed before next year's World Cup. Some powerbrokers feel it's unfair that Radley is blocked from being picked for NSW because he has played for England, at a time when tier-two nations including Samoa and Tonga are often just as strong as tier-one countries Australia, New Zealand and England. In a huge boost for England as they prepare to host the first Kangaroos Ashes tour since 2003, Smith has told coach Shaun Wane he wants to honour his English heritage by playing in the series. 'Billy Smith contacted me, and I do like it when players contact me to express their desire to represent England,' Wane said. 'I'm very grateful for that and, like Victor Radley, it's a sign that he wants to play for England. It goes a long way. 'I do rate him. I'm a big fan of the NRL and all of the quality athletes playing in it. Billy Smith is one of the best athletes, he's a great centre and he would be a great asset. I like that he has contacted me, that means a lot, and I will be pursuing it.' Smith made his NRL debut in 2019, but a luckless run of injuries has restricted him to just 40 first-grade appearances. Despite three ACLs, a lisfranc issue, a serious shoulder injury, a fractured jaw and an ankle complaint, Smith has fought his way into Trent Robinson's Roosters side. Wane said he was impressed at how Smith has been able to overcome the setbacks.
