Former Australia coach and captain Bob Simpson passes away at 89
Former Australia coach and captain Bob Simpson has passed away at an age of 89.
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The former Australia captain and coach, Bob Simpson, has passed away at the age of 89 in Sydney. It’s a huge loss for Australian cricket, which has now lost a giant in the form of their former captain and coach. He was succeeded as the coach by one of his former players, Geoff Marsh, as the more senior side shifted their style under the leadership of Mark Taylor since Allan Border retired in 1994.
Simpson went on to coach Leicestershire and Lancashire for short periods of English cricket. Interestingly, Simpson worked as the coaching advisor for Rajasthan during the Ranji Trophy in India and the consultant for India’s men’s team during the late 1990s.
“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. 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 chair, Mike Baird, expressed.
Former Australia captain and coach Bob Simpson dies at 89
In his 70s, he coached the Netherlands through a successful qualification campaign during the 2007 World Cup. He was appointed as a member of the Order of Australia in 1978, which was upgraded in 2008 for his services as a coach, consultant, and administrator. In 1965, he was named the cricketer of the year in Wisden.
Bob smashed 4869 runs in 111 innings of Test cricket at an average of 46.81, scoring 10 centuries and seven half-centuries at the best score of 311 runs. In the FC format for New South Wales, he drilled 21029 runs in 436 innings, thanks to 60 centuries and 100 fifties, besides bagging 349 wickets at an average of 38.
He initially retired from the game in 1968, having captained in 29 of the 50 Test matches. But then, he made a return as the leader of the side at the age of 41 and went on to lead them during the two five-match home series against India and five-away Tests against West Indies in the Caribbean.
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