2 days ago
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.
