Bob Simpson, one of the most effective personalities of Australian cricket, died here at the age of 89. Cricket Australia confirmed Simpson’s death on Saturday. Simpson played 62 Tests and two ODIs for Australia between 1957 and 1978. He scored 4869 Test runs which included ten centuries and 27 half -centuries. Apart from this, he took 71 wickets and captained in 39 Tests.
Sydney -born Simpson’s parents were from Scotland. Simpson made his first class cricket debut against Victoria for New South Wales at the age of 16. He once said, “I was always ambitious and I had no doubt that I was going to succeed. I always had faith in my talent.”
He was also the coach of Australia between 1986 and 1996. Australia won the 1987 World Cup, four Ashes titles and the 1995 Frank Warel Trophy while his coach. Cricket Australia said that the Australian team will pay tribute to them by keeping a minute’s silence before the ODI against South Africa in Cairns on Saturday.
Simpson made his Test debut against South Africa in Johannesburg in 1957. He scored his first century during the Ashes Test at Old Taford in 1964. He scored 311 runs in that match. He also lashed out 110 catches while fielding in slip.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanies paid her tribute to Australian cricket for several generations. He made high criteria as a player, captain and then as a coach. He will remember him longer. “