Former Australia captain and celebrated coach Bob Simpson has died at the age of 89 in Sydney, Cricket Australia (CA) announced on Saturday.
“RIP to a true cricket legend. A Test cricketer, captain, coach and national selector – Bob Simpson was a mighty figure in Australian cricket, giving everything to our game. Cricket Australia extends our thoughts and sympathies to Bob’s family and friends,” CA said in a post on X.
Simpson played a pivotal role in Australia’s resurgence in the late 1980s and 1990s. He took over as full-time coach when Allan Border’s side was struggling through a three-year winless run, and together the duo instilled resilience in a new crop of players, including Steve Waugh, David Boon, Dean Jones and Craig McDermott.
One of his biggest achievements came in 1987 when Australia, under his guidance, won the Cricket World Cup in India, defeating England by seven runs in the final at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens. Two years later, Simpson’s side stunned England 4–0 in the 1989 Ashes, laying the foundation for Australia’s long dominance in the series.
As a player, Bob Simpson represented Australia in 62 Tests between 1957 and 1978, scoring 4,869 runs at an average of 46.81, with 10 centuries and a career-best 311. He also took 71 wickets with his leg-spin and was widely regarded as one of the finest slip fielders of his era. He captained Australia in 39 Tests, winning 12.
CA chairperson Mike Baird described Simpson as “one of the greats” of Australian cricket.
“Bob’s decision to come out of retirement to lead the 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 generation for Australian cricket,” Baird said.
Simpson’s contribution will be honoured during the third T20 International against South Africa in Cairns on Saturday, with players wearing black armbands and a minute’s silence observed.
