'Quite simply the best coach': Steve Waugh, Allan Border pay respects to late Bob Simpson
Former Australia captain Bob Simpson, one of the most influential figures in the country's cricketing history, passed away in Sydney on Saturday at the age of 89. Tributes poured in from former teammates and players he mentored, with many describing him as a disciplinarian whose methods transformed cricket in Australia.
Steve Waugh
, who played a key role in Australia's rise during the late 1980s and 1990s, said Simpson's contribution went far beyond coaching. 'No one gave more to Australian cricket than Bob Simpson - coach, player, commentator, writer, selector, mentor and journalist. He was quite simply the best cricket coach with an unparalleled knowledge of the game together with an insatiable appetite for learning and imparting his wisdom.
He made me a better player and he made Australian cricket great. RIP Simmo,' Waugh wrote on Instagram.
Under his leadership, Australia lifted the 1987 World Cup, won four Ashes series and finally claimed the Frank Worrell Trophy in 1995, ending a 17-year wait for success against the West Indies.
Steve Waugh on Instagram (Screengrab)
Allan Border, who worked closely with Simpson through Australia's revival in the late 1980s, remembered the balance they struck as captain and coach.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You
Villas In Dubai | Search Ads
Get Rates
Undo
'Behind the scenes he was the sergeant major and disciplinarian and that allowed me to do what I did best. Occasionally, I would blow up but it never lasted for long. I suppose we were a bit of an odd couple but it just sort of worked,' Border told News Corp.
Border also recalled the dynamic away from the field. 'Bob and I would play golf but I spent more time with Ian Chappell who did not get along with Simmo so I found myself in the middle of that one constantly defending Simmo to Ian.
I'm not sure I got that far!' he said.
'Simmo was the perfect man for the time. He was not everyone's best mate but that was not his role. Everyone who played under him whether they liked him or not would accept they were better players for his influence. He was as good as any coach we have ever had. He had a fantastic cricket brain,' he reflected on Simpson's impact, as quoted by The Daily Telegraph.
Former Australia batter David Boon also paid his respects. 'It's a shock and a hard hit – I know he hasn't been well. He had a special place in my heart and many others. He worked so hard to challenge us. I absolutely loved my involvement with him,' Boon said.
Poll
What was Bob Simpson's most significant contribution to Australian cricket?
Coaching excellence
Mentoring future players
Cricket Australia described Simpson as 'a true cricket legend' and confirmed that the national team will observe a moment's silence and wear black armbands during the third T20I against South Africa in Cairns on Saturday.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Time of India
County Sports Academy to hold Jaipur District Open Junior Badminton tournament from August 23
1 2 Jaipur: County Sports Academy is conducting a District Open Badminton tournament on August 23 and 24 at the Padukone School of Badminton Academy in Vaishali Nagar. The two-day open junior ranking badminton tourney is being organised jointly by Padukone School of Badminton and Victor. Hundreds of boys and girls participants are expected to participate in the U-9, U-11, U-15 and U-17 categories. Winners and runners-up of various categories will receive prizes and also get a chance to train at the world-class Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy in Bengaluru, stated a press release issued by Country Sports Academy directors Abhimanyu Singh and Yogendra Chauhan here on Monday. Entry closes on August 20. The top performers of the two-day competition will travel to Bengaluru for an advanced training at the state-of-the-art PPBA centre where they will also interact with the leading international level shuttlers. In April this year, the agreement for providing high level training in badminton between Vaishali Nagar-based County Sports Academy and Padukone School of Badminton, Bengaluru was formally announced. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Passive Income Ideas Sitting at Home Mone Click Here Undo On this occasion, Prakash Padukone, founder of Padukone School of Badminton, arguably India's greatest badminton player and former All-England champion expressed his happiness on joining the County Sports Academy and said that from now on, the coaches of Padukone School of Badminton will hone the talent of the badminton players of Rajasthan with their latest techniques and hard work and prepare the future champions. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Gavin McKenna holds top spot in 2026 NHL Draft rankings as teams eye future superstar
Gavin McKenna holds top spot in 2026 NHL Draft rankings (Image Via Twitter) Gavin McKenna has worn the projected number one ranking for the 2026 NHL Draft and changed how the teams have been preparing for the future. More than a promising teenage player, McKenna stands for the rare chance of a struggling franchise to grab onto a generational talent. In this very light, as the draft gets closer, the names of those being analyzed are hardly just top-notch; whereas roster decisions, rebuilding timelines, and the very mindset of organizations asking for lottery luck have been influenced. Simply put, McKenna's rise is shaping the future landscape of the NHL. Gavin McKenna's no. 1 ranking and its impact on rebuilding teams Being first overall carries this heavy connotation, and for Gavin McKenna, it means that franchises near the bottom of the standings are already setting their sights elsewhere and adjusting their outlook. Teams in transition, such as Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia, are pondering the course their season takes. A shot at McKenna should speed up the rebuild by a good few years and give them a center to begin fostering a winning culture around. His presence at the top of the boards also adds competition as GMs try to think beyond the next two years. How Gavin McKenna could alter the balance of NHL Gavin McKenna - 2024-2025 (DY-1) Highlights | 2026 NHL Draft A player of McKenna's stature can turn a franchise around. Going by the trajectory of Edmonton since Connor McDavid and Pittsburgh with Sidney Crosby, McKenna may very well refocus a struggling team, turning them into a credible playoff side in just a few years. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Simple Morning Habit for a Flatter Belly After 50! Lulutox Undo His offensive brilliance, leadership, and ability to inspire others put the idea of getting McKenna as more than just about acquiring a star; he puts in a new definition for a team. Stability-seeking franchises will look at McKenna being No. 1 as hope and, at the same time, a breaking point. Also Read: Dylan Coghlan returns to Vegas Golden Knights ahead of the 2025–26 season Gavin's status as the top prospect isn't just an individual accolade but another narrative that goes into the strategies of NHL teams months before the draft. From drawing the outline for the rebuilding efforts down to the conceptual flow of success, his No. 1 ranking has already been an influential factor in the decision-making across the league. Whoever ends up with him will draft a superstar and open a brand-new chapter in that franchise's history. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
Shubman Gill likely to sit out of Asia Cup despite having Gambhir and Agarkar as fans, claims report: 'He doesn't fit'
Newly-appointed India Test captain Shubman Gill might not make india's squad for the upcoming Asia Cup despite enjoying a solid run in this year's Indian Premier League, which was followed by a red-hot run in the five-Test series in England. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to end the drama surrounding India's squad for the ACC Asia Cup that is set to take place in the UAE next month. The board, after all, confirmed the timing for Tuesday's press conference, which will get underway at 1.30 pm IST and will be attended by captain Suryakumar Yadav and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, on Monday. There's a big question mark over Shubman Gill's participation in next month's event. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Gill, recently appointed India Test captain, hasn't been a regular member of India's T20 setup in recent months. The 25-year-old, however, had an excellent Indian Premier League season with the bat and a red-hot run in the recent five-match Test series in England, making it tough for the selectors to overlook him for next month's assignment – where India could potentially face arch-rivals Pakistan thrice. Difficult to drop Sanju, Abhishek and other India T20 regulars According to a report on The Times of India, both head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Agarkar are 'huge fans' of Gill's batting but even that might not be enough for him to find a place in the T20I team that already has a settled look in the build-up to next year's T20 World Cup. Especially with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma forming a successful opening pair and Tilak Varma, skipper Surya and Hardik Pandya coming in next. 'Gill is a terrific batsman, all the selectors and head coach Gautam Gambhir are huge fans of his batting, and he is rated almost as highly as Virat Kohli in India's cricket circles in terms of potential. However, he doesn't fit into the T20 scheme of things right now. 'Presently, the idea is to persist with 'keeper-bat Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma as openers, with Tilak Varma coming in at No. 3 and skipper Suryakumar at No. 4. If you see, Abhishek and Varma are rated as the No. 1 and No. 2 batters in T20Is in the ICC rankings currently. How can you drop them?' a BCCI source told the newspaper. Team India have enjoyed a dominant run in the shortest format, winning 28 out of 31 games since the start of last year – including a couple of Super Over wins – and losing just three. And it's been the aforementioned combination that has been at the heart of India's batting following India's victory at the T20 World Cup under Rohit Sharma's leadership last year.
