Former Australia cricket captain and coach Bob Simpson has passed away at the age of 89.Cricket Australia has confirmed his death in a post on X, stating, “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.”
In a press release issued by Cricket Australia, it stated, “A pivotal figure in the dressing room during Australia's rise to the peak of world cricket throughout the 1990s, Simpson's legacy lasted long after he stepped away from the head coach role in 1996. A leg-spinning allrounder turned gritty opening batter and an excellent slips fielder, Simpson played 62 Tests for Australia between 1957 and 1978, scoring 4,869 runs, having made his debut on a tour of South Africa in 1957.”
His first of 10 Test centuries didn't come until his 30th Test, but he made it count, hitting a career-high 311 against England at Old Trafford in 1964 in a record-setting year. It was a pivotal innings, lasting 13 hours, that ensured Australia would retain the Ashes.His opening partnerships with Bill Lawry set a world record for the time as the pair averaged more than 60 for the first wicket, putting on 3596 runs together in 62 Test innings, as per the release.
Quoting Cricket Australia Chair Mike Baird, the release said, “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.”Praising Simpson’s journey, he said, “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.”
“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,” Baird added.To show their respect, the release further added that Simpson would be remembered with a minute's silence at tonight's third T20 against South Africa in Cairns, with players wearing black armbands.(UNI)
