Bob Simpson, former Australian captain and coach, passes away aged 89

Former Australian cricket team captain and coach Bob Simpson passed away aged 89, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Saturday.

Simpson made an indelible mark on the game as an opening batter, brilliant slips fielder and handy leg spinner; and as a respected and long-serving coach, including of the Australian men’s team.

Simpson was just 16 when he made his first-class debut for New South Wales against Victoria.

He went on to play 257 first-class matches, including for New South Wales and Western Australia, making 21,029 runs at 56.22 with 60 centuries and 100 half-centuries and a top score of 359. He took 383 catches and 349 wickets at 38.07 with best figures of 5/33.

Simpson played 62 Tests for Australia between 1957 and 1978, scoring 4869 runs at 46.81, including 10 centuries, 27 half-centuries, with a top score of 311. He took 110 catches and 71 wickets at 42.26 with two five-wicket hauls and best figures of 5/57.

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Simpson is renowned particularly for his decision to come out of retirement aged 41 to lead Australia upon the advent of World Series Cricket, captaining a team devoid of many established players to an eventful 3-2 home victory over India and on a difficult tour of the West Indies.

As national coach from 1986 to 1996, Simpson was instrumental in the revival of the Australian team’s fortunes, including victory in the 1987 World Cup, the 1989 Ashes series victory in England and an away series victory over the previously dominant West Indies in 1995.

Simpson was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1978 and an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2007. He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985 and the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2006.

CA said that the Australian men’s team will pay tribute to Bob Simpson with a moment’s silence before its one-day international against South Africa in Cairns and will also wear black armbands.