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Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Sport
- 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.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Legendary cricketer and coach Bob Simpson, who led Australia to 1987 World Cup glory, died at 89
Bob Simpson , one of Australian cricket 's most influential figures as a player, captain, and coach, has died at the age of 89. The cause of Simpson's death has not been disclosed. Cricket Australia confirmed his passing on Saturday(August 16). Simpson represented Australia in 62 Test matches and two one-day internationals between 1957 and 1978, scoring 4,869 Test runs with 10 centuries and 27 half-centuries. He also took 71 wickets and held 110 catches, earning a reputation as one of the finest slip fielders of his era. Simpson captained Australia in 39 Tests, leading the side through a turbulent period. At the height of the World Series Cricket split in 1977, he came out of retirement at age 41 to steady a youthful team, playing 10 more Tests and averaging over 50 in his comeback. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Undo One of his most famous performances came in 1964 at The Oval, when he batted more than 13 hours to score 311 against England, one of the longest innings in Test history and still among Australia's greatest individual feats. Era-defining coach Live Events After retiring as a player in 1978, Simpson returned to cricket as Australia's first full-time national coach in 1986. Over the next decade, he helped lay the foundations of Australia's modern dominance. Under his guidance, the team claimed its first-ever Cricket World Cup in 1987, regained the Ashes in four series, and in 1995 reclaimed the Frank Worrell Trophy against the West Indies after a 17-year drought. '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,' Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird said in a statement. Tributes flow Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute, writing on X: 'Bob Simpson's extraordinary service to Australian cricket spanned generations. As a player, captain and then era-defining coach, he set the highest standards for himself and the champions he led. He will be long remembered by the game he loved. May he rest in peace.' Cricket Australia said the national team will observe a moment's silence and wear black armbands in his honor before Saturday night's one-day international against South Africa in Cairns. Simpson was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2006 and the ICC Hall of Fame in 2013.
