Former Australia captain Bob Simpson, one of the most influential figures in the country’s cricketing history, passed away in Sydney on Saturday at the age of 89. Tributes poured in from former teammates and players he mentored, with many describing him as a disciplinarian whose methods transformed cricket in Australia.Steve Waugh, who played a key role in Australia’s rise during the late 1980s and 1990s, said Simpson’s contribution went far beyond coaching. “No one gave more to Australian cricket than Bob Simpson – coach, player, commentator, writer, selector, mentor and journalist. He was quite simply the best cricket coach with an unparalleled knowledge of the game together with an insatiable appetite for learning and imparting his wisdom. He made me a better player and he made Australian cricket great. RIP Simmo,” Waugh wrote on Instagram.Under his leadership, Australia lifted the 1987 World Cup, won four Ashes series and finally claimed the Frank Worrell Trophy in 1995, ending a 17-year wait for success against the West Indies.
Steve Waugh on Instagram (Screengrab)
Allan Border, who worked closely with Simpson through Australia’s revival in the late 1980s, remembered the balance they struck as captain and coach. “Behind the scenes he was the sergeant major and disciplinarian and that allowed me to do what I did best. Occasionally, I would blow up but it never lasted for long. I suppose we were a bit of an odd couple but it just sort of worked,” Border told News Corp. Border also recalled the dynamic away from the field. “Bob and I would play golf but I spent more time with Ian Chappell who did not get along with Simmo so I found myself in the middle of that one constantly defending Simmo to Ian. I’m not sure I got that far!” he said. “Simmo was the perfect man for the time. He was not everyone’s best mate but that was not his role. Everyone who played under him whether they liked him or not would accept they were better players for his influence. He was as good as any coach we have ever had. He had a fantastic cricket brain,” he reflected on Simpson’s impact, as quoted by The Daily Telegraph. Former Australia batter David Boon also paid his respects. “It’s a shock and a hard hit – I know he hasn’t been well. He had a special place in my heart and many others. He worked so hard to challenge us. I absolutely loved my involvement with him,” Boon said.
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Cricket Australia described Simpson as “a true cricket legend” and confirmed that the national team will observe a moment’s silence and wear black armbands during the third T20I against South Africa in Cairns on Saturday.
