Former Australia Test captain and coach Bob Simpson has died at the age of 89. Simpson played 62 Tests between 1957 and 1978, scoring 4,869 runs, including 10 centuries, at an average of 46.81, and took 71 wickets with his leg-spin.
Idman.biz, citing BBC, reports that renowned as one of the best slip fielders in cricket history, Simpson made a remarkable comeback as Test captain in 1978 at 41, during the World Series Cricket era.
Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird praised Simpson’s contributions both on and off the field, highlighting his leadership and coaching that laid the foundation for a golden generation of Australian cricket. Under his guidance from 1986, Australia revived its Test fortunes, winning the 1987 World Cup and key series over England and the West Indies.
Simpson also nurtured stars including Mark Waugh, Shane Warne, Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Glenn McGrath, and Ricky Ponting, shaping an era of Australian dominance. After retiring in 1996, he coached in England and the Netherlands and advised India. Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called him an “era-defining coach” whose standards and influence will be long remembered.
Idman.biz
