Bob Simpson, Former Australia Captain and Coach, Passes Away at 89; CA Calls Him 'True Cricket Legend'
Synopsis
Former Australian cricket captain and coach Bob Simpson passed away at 89. He played a crucial role in Australia's cricketing resurgence in the 1990s, including a World Cup win and Ashes victory.
Former Australian captain and coach Bob Simpson passed away at the age of 89 in Sydney, Cricket Australia (CA) reported on Saturday.
In a post on X, CA said, "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."
<br>Simpson was a key figure in Australia's rise to the top of the cricketing world in the 1990s, and his impact lasted long after he left as a head coach in 1996. Simpson became the full-time coach for the Aussies when the Allan Border-led side was facing a massive decline in fortunes and was in the middle of a winless run that stretched out for three years, as per cricket.com.au. </p><h2><strong>Bob Simpson as a coach changed the fortunes of Australia</strong></h2><p>It was the Simpson-Border duo that instilled their mindset in the upcoming crop of Aussie stars such as Steve Waugh, David Boon, Dean Jones, and Craig McDermott. Simpson's commitment to training as a coach, in batting and in fielding, helped the Aussies eventually mark a turnaround and become one of the best sides in the game. </p><div type="dfp" position=3>Ad3</div><p>One of the biggest highlights of his coaching tenure was winning the 1987 Cricket World Cup hosted by India and Pakistan, defeating arch-rivals England in a closely-contested final by seven runs at Kolkata's Eden Gardens. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">An legendary player, captain and coach, Bob Simpson has left a lasting legacy on Australian cricket <a href="https://t.co/nwQ3S7OlxK">https://t.co/nwQ3S7OlxK</a> <a href="https://t.co/CHBP9HBj2t">pic.twitter.com/CHBP9HBj2t</a></p><p>— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) <a href="https://twitter.com/cricketcomau/status/1956552184780427672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2025</a></p><div type="dfp" position=4>Ad4</div></blockquote><p> </p><p>Then, later in 1989, Aussies produced another miracle. In 1989, they arrived on England's shores as "possibly one of the worst sides to ever tour England". The Simpson-Border magic continued on the tour, as they won the six-match series by 4-0 to regain the Ashes. It would serve as a starting point of the Aussies' domination at the marquee series as they won the next eight of them in a row till England brought back the urn home with an iconic series win at their home. They brought back home the coveted Frank Worrell Trophy 20 years later. </p><h2><strong>Bob Simpson's career</strong></h2><p>During his days as a player from 1957 to 1978, he represented Australia in 62 Tests, scoring 4,869 runs at an average of 46.81, with 10 centuries and 27 fifties in 111 innings and a best score of 311. He also took 71 wickets with the best figures of 5/57. He led Australia in 39 Tests, winning 12, losing 12, drawing 15.</p><p>He also played two ODIs, scoring 36 runs and taking two wickets.</p><h2><strong>Bob Simpson's selflessness received praise</strong></h2><p>CA chairperson Mike Baird hailed Simpson as one of "the greats" of Australian cricket.</p><p>"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," said Baird as quoted by cricket.com.au.</p><p>“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.”</p><p>“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 generation for Australian cricket.”</p><p>“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.”</p><p>Simpson's contribution will be honoured during the third T20 against South Africa at Cairns on Saturday with a minute of silence and players sporting black armbands. (ANI)</p>