Cricket-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."
(Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; Editing by William Mallard)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Penang striker Dylan rocks Hang Jebat Stadium with a brace
PETALING JAYA: Dylan Wenzel-Halls stole the show at the Hang Jebat Stadium as the Australian striker struck twice to fire Penang to a 2-0 victory over Melaka in their FA Cup round-of-16 first-leg clash on Sunday (Aug 17). The 27-year-old thought he had broken the deadlock in the first half with a superb curling effort from Bosnian winger Danilo Sipovac's pass. But after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, the goal was chalked off as Sipovac was judged to have fouled Melaka midfielder Nizaruddin Jazi in the build-up. Wenzel-Halls' frustration boiled over, and he was shown a yellow card by referee Nawal Mohd Zubir for his protests. But there was no denying him after the break. Just three minutes into the second half, he calmly slotted home from Ivorian striker Tchetche Kipre's pass to give Penang the lead. His celebration was filled with emotion as he made the VAR gesture before embracing fans in the stands. He doubled his tally in the 69th minute, latching onto a clever through ball from Wan Zack Haikal Wan Noor and firing a low shot that slipped past Melaka goalkeeper Jun Badelic. Penang will now take a healthy advantage into the second leg, with Wenzel-Halls' brace proving the difference on the night. Earlier, Sabah hammered Bunga Raya 6-0 while Immigration stunned Terengganu 2-1 in other round-of-16 fixtures.
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Soccer-Ndoye shines on arrival as Forest defeat depleted Brentford
Soccer Football - Premier League - Nottingham Forest v Brentford - The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain - August 17, 2025 Nottingham Forest's Dan Ndoye in action with Brentford's Rico Henry Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers NOTTINGHAM, England (Reuters) -Nottingham Forest piled more misery on depleted Brentford as new winger Dan Ndoye scored his first goal for the club in Sunday's 3-1 win in the Premier League. Forward Yoane Wissa, who scored 19 league goals for Brentford last season, did not make the trip to Nottingham due to uncertainty over his future. Brentford's highest scorer in the competition last season, Bryan Mbeumo, joined Manchester United last month. Keith Andrews, who took on his first managerial role at Brentford after Thomas Frank left for Tottenham Hotspur, saw his team outplayed from the outset as Chris Wood scored a first-half brace which, along with Ndoye's goal, gave Forest a comfortable 3-0 lead at halftime. Brentford were unable to mount a comeback in the second half, with Igor Thiago's goal from the penalty spot in the 78th minute being their only consolation. Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has at least two more signings to integrate as James McAtee and Omari Hutchinson were unveiled before the game. (Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in BengaluruEditing by Christian Radnedge)
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
UPDATED: Terengganu stopped by Immigration at Batu Kawan
KUALA LUMPUR: Kuching City coach Aidil Sharin Sahak said he would lose money if he spoke his mind about the referee in their match today. Aidil admttied he had much to say about the match officiating after his team lost 3-2 to Brunei's DPMM at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in the FA Cup round of 16 first leg. In another match, newcomers Immigration FC had everyone talking about them following their shock 2-1 win over last year's FA Cup semi-finalists, Terengganu. As for the action in Brunei, much of the post-match chatter centred not on the goals, but on the referee's calls. Aidil said there were moments he wanted to speak his mind about the referee, but he decided not to. "If I comment, my pocket will be gone (coaches get fined for criticising referees) to the MFL," he said. "So why waste my money? But of course, things have to improve because the league is getting more professional. "For me, after I looked at a photo from my media, it's very clear… but in the end, it's over, we have to move on." DPMM captain Azwan Ali Rahman opened the scoring in the fourth minute, before Wanja Ronaldo Ngah levelled for Kuching just before the break. Kuching's James Okwuosa fired the visitors ahead seconds into the second half, but Miguel Oliveira struck back quickly for DPMM. Substitute Jordan Murray's 79th-minute goal gave the hosts the lead. Kuching had a chance to eqaulise in the dying minutes when the referee awarded a penalty. But Gabriel Nistelrooy Tamin's shot was saved by Kristijan Naumovski. DPMM coach Jamie McAllister said: "The boys showed great character and spirit. We're new to the league, still adapting, but we battled, and that's what fans want to see." At the Batu Kawan Stadium, newly promoted Immigration left favourites Terengganu red faced. Though the Turtles took the lead in the 50th minute through Yann Mabella, Immigration equalised four minutes later via Rafael Holstein. Brazilian Joao Pedro then struck the winner in stoppage time to seal a remarkable win for Immigration. At the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium, Sabah crushed A1 Semi-Pro League team Bunga Raya 6-0. On target for Sabah were former national striker Darren Lok (10th minute. 47th, 53rd penalty), Fergus Tierney (18th), Jafri Chew (45+1 penalty) and Ajdin Mujagic (80th minute penalty). At the Hang Jebat Stadium, Australian Dylan Wenzel-Halls emerged as Penang's hero in their 2-0 win over Melaka FC, scoring in the 48th and 83rd minutes.
