RIP Bob Simpson

[TheParraboy]

‘A mighty figure’: Aussie cricket in mourning after tragic passing of icon Bob Simpson

‘A mighty figure’: Aussie cricket in mourning after tragic passing of icon Bob Simpson

www.foxsports.com.au

Former Australian captain and coach Bob Simpson has passed away aged 89, Cricket Australia has confirmed.

Simpson, one of Australian cricket’s most influential figures, represented his country in 62 Tests between 1957 and 1978, scoring 4869 runs at 46.81 while taking 71 wickets. He captained Australia in 39 Tests, winning 12.

The New South Welshman famously came out of retirement aged 41 to lead an undermanned Australian team during the World Series Cricket era.

Simpson later became the Australian cricket team’s first full-time coach, helping rebuild a struggling side that failed to win a Test series for four years into one of the sport’s powerhouses.

Under his guidance, Australia won the 1987 World Cup, four Ashes campaigns and the 1995 the Frank Worrell Trophy, ending a 17-year drought against the West Indies.

He stepped down as Australian coach following the 1996 World Cup, also serving as a national selector.

Simpson was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985 and the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2006.

He was added to the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2013.

 

[The Mad Hatter]

Sad news. Did a lot for cricket. RIP.

 

[Fangs]

RIP.

Seems he was a very important figure as head coach in the late 80s/90s. Got us back in the right direction.

Not a bad record as a player either.

 

[undertaker]

RIP.

Seems he was a very important figure as head coach in the late 80s/90s. Got us back in the right direction.

Not a bad record as a player either.

Yeah, to think Simmo came out of retirement during the whole World Series controversy and scored 2 centuries and 2 fifties against India at age 41 is quite remarkable.

 

[Fangs]

Yeah, to think Simmo came out of retirement during the whole World Series controversy and scored 2 centuries and 2 fifties against India at age 41 is quite remarkable.

Also read that he was an excellent fieldsman. Made it a big focus during his time as coach.

 

[JJ]

By all accounts a fine player, but as a coach he transformed the Australian team. RIP to a legend of the game

 

[undertaker]

Also read that he was an excellent fieldsman. Made it a big focus during his time as coach.

I think it was in the Cricket Legends interview on Fox that Shane Warne appeared in, Warney credited Bob Simpson for introducing him to the idea of occasionally bowling around the wicket to right-handed batsmen. Although he wasn't convinced at first, Warne was eventually persuaded to take up the strategy in test matches after he faced Simpson (who was a part-time leggie himself during his playing days) bowling leg breaks to him around the wicket in the nets during one training session, and Warne got bowled by him!

During 1993-98, Warne used this strategy with great success. Post-shoulder operation in 1998, Warne only used it on rare occasions (e.g. 2005 Ashes).

 

[Fangs]

I think it was in the Cricket Legends interview on Fox that Shane Warne appeared in, Warney credited Bob Simpson for introducing him to the idea of occasionally bowling around the wicket to right-handed batsmen. Although he wasn't convinced at first, Warne was eventually persuaded to take up the strategy in test matches after he faced Simpson (who was a part-time leggie himself during his playing days) bowling leg breaks to him around the wicket in the nets during one training session, and Warne got bowled by him!

During 1993-98, Warne used this strategy with great success. Post-shoulder operation in 1998, Warne only used it on rare occasions (e.g. 2005 Ashes).

Great stuff.

And Warne was a bloke who has scolded others he played under. Must have had an impact on him to mention it.

 

[Twizzle]

Yeah, to think Simmo came out of retirement during the whole World Series controversy and scored 2 centuries and 2 fifties against India at age 41 is quite remarkable.

with a wonky eye as well, amazing cricketer

 

[PARRA_FAN]

RIP Bob Simpson.

Its interesting that he was part of the two tied tests, 1960 as a player and 1986 as a coach.

They said he was one of the finest opening batsman for Australia and a great coach. Helped the team in the 1980s after a big rebuild under Allan Border.