Australian Cricket Legends Honor Bob Simpson as a Giant of the Game.
Australian cricket great Bob Simpson, who guided the team back to the top and coached stars of the 1980s, has died aged 89.
Australian Cricket Mourns Bob Simpson: Legendary Coach Dies at 89
Australian cricket is in mourning following the death of Bob Simpson, a legendary figure of the sport, who passed away in Sydney at the age of 89.
Widely regarded as one of the game’s greatest minds, Simpson played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of future stars, including Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Allan Border, and Steve Waugh.
Taking over as head coach in 1986, Simpson transformed an underperforming Australian side into a dominant force in world cricket. Known as a hard disciplinarian and master tactician, he instilled discipline and emphasized world-class fielding standards that helped restore Australia to the top of international cricket.
Allan Border Remembers Bob Simpson’s Discipline That Transformed Australian Cricket.
Former Australian captain Allan Border has paid tribute to Bob Simpson, recalling how the legendary coach revolutionized the team with his relentless focus on fielding and discipline.
“He always believed that if you build a really strong and high-quality fielding side, you can compete even against stronger teams — sometimes even win matches on fielding alone,” Border told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Simpson’s arrival as coach in the mid-1980s came at a crucial moment, giving Border the much-needed support after the struggles under former skipper Kim Hughes.
“It was the perfect timing for me as captain,” Border said. “For a while, I had to carry everything myself. Simpson came in as the sergeant major, a strict disciplinarian, and he worked us hard — but it paid off.”
Under Simpson’s guidance, Australia lifted the 1987 World Cup and later developed a new era of cricketing greats, cementing his status as one of the most influential figures in Australian cricket history.
Matthew Hayden Pays Tribute to Bob Simpson: A Giant of Australian Cricket.
Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has remembered the late Bob Simpson as a “true giant of Australian cricket,” praising the legendary coach’s role in shaping generations of cricketers.
“One of Australian cricket’s greats has left us,” Hayden said. “Simmo was a master batsman, an inspirational leader, coach and mentor. His wisdom, grit and passion for the game not only restored Australia’s dominance but also guided countless players who carried his lessons onto the world stage.”
Hayden revealed that Simpson personally taught him the art of the sweep shot against spin bowling — a weapon that became a key part of his batting — while also pushing him to new heights in fielding standards.
“Thankfully, I was one of the players fortunate enough to learn from him. His coaching not only improved my game but also instilled in me the values that shaped my career,” Hayden said.
Simpson’s influence stretched far beyond tactics, leaving a lasting legacy in Australian cricket history that players like Hayden, Langer, McGrath, and Warne proudly carried forward.
Steve Waugh and Australian Greats Pay Tribute to Bob Simpson’s Lasting Legacy.
Australian cricket icons have paid emotional tributes to Bob Simpson, hailing him as one of the most influential figures the sport has ever seen.
Former opener Matthew Hayden recalled Simpson’s legendary training methods, especially his intense fielding drills, which transformed Australia into the best fielding side in world cricket.
“His legendary fielding sessions, whether close to the bat, in the slips, or the outfield, took my love for fielding to undiscovered levels. Today, we say goodbye to a legend, but his influence will live forever in the story of Australian cricket,” Hayden said.
Former captain Steve Waugh, who rose to prominence under Simpson before succeeding Mark Taylor as skipper, described him as irreplaceable.
“No one gave more to Australian cricket than Bob Simpson — coach, player, commentator, writer, selector, mentor, and journalist,” Waugh said. “He was, quite simply, the best cricket coach, with unparalleled knowledge of the game and an insatiable appetite for learning and passing on his wisdom.”
Simpson’s dedication to both developing talent and shaping champions cemented his place as a true giant of Australian cricket, with his legacy continuing through the generations of players he mentored.
Bob Simpson: From Marrickville Roots to Australian Cricket Greatness.
Australian cricket legend Bob Simpson often said, “He made me a better player and he made Australian cricket great.” His journey from a determined youngster in Sydney’s Marrickville suburb to one of the game’s most influential figures is a story of grit, ambition, and enduring legacy.
Born on February 3, 1936, to Scottish immigrant parents, Simpson was instilled with values of physical and mental toughness from a young age. “I was naturally ambitious and never doubted I could go further,” Simpson once said. “It sounds cocky, but I always believed in my own talents.”
At just 16 years old, Simpson debuted for New South Wales in the 1952/53 season. His move to Western Australia gave him more opportunities, eventually leading to his selection for the national side. It was in 1961, when paired with Bill Lawry, that Simpson truly established himself as one of Australia’s finest openers.
Over seven years, the Simpson-Lawry partnership averaged over 60 runs for the first wicket, recording nine century stands, including an iconic 382-run partnership against the West Indies in Bridgetown (1965). In that historic match, both openers scored double-centuries — the first time such a feat had been achieved in Test cricket for Australia.
Simpson succeeded Richie Benaud as captain during the 1964/65 series against South Africa, but stepped away from the game three years later to pursue careers in journalism and public relations.
However, when World Series Cricket disrupted the sport in 1977 and many leading players were unavailable, Simpson came out of retirement to captain both New South Wales and Australia, cementing his reputation as a resilient leader willing to answer the call of duty.
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