Former Australia captain and legendary coach Bob Simpson has passed away at 89

August 16, 2025

New Delhi, August 16: Former Australia captain and coach Bob Simpson died in Sydney at the age of 89. Cricket Australia officially confirmed his death on 16 August 2025. Simpson was not only a brilliant batsman and an excellent slip fielder, but as a coach, he took Australian cricket to new heights.

Simpson made his Test debut in 1957 and continued playing until 1978. He played a total of 62 Test matches, scoring 4,869 runs and hitting 10 centuries. His best score was 311 against England in 1964. Apart from batting, he was also a leg spinner and took 71 wickets.

Bob excelled in slip fielding and took 110 catches, which is still considered a record for a non-wicketkeeper. He captained Australia in a total of 39 Test matches.

Bob returned from retirement in 1977 and took over the captaincy of the Australian cricket team. At that time many key players had gone to play in the World Series Cricket, which weakened the team. Simpson took over the captaincy at the age of 41 and led the team in the series against India and West Indies. Australia won that five-match Test series against India 3-2. After this he retired again.

Simpson gave Australia a new identity as a coach, becoming Australia’s first full-time coach in 1986.

He became the country’s first full-time coach in 1986 and remained in this position till 1996. During his tenure, Australia won the 1987 World Cup, won the Ashes from England in 1989 and defeated West Indies in 1995.

Simpson , who was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1965, received many honours in the world of sports. He was inducted into the Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1965, the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985, the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2006 and the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2013. He was also awarded the Order of Australia.

Bob Simpson’s extraordinary service to Australian cricket spanned generations. As a player, captain and then era-defining coach, he set the highest of standards for himself and the champions he led. He will be long remembered by the game he loved.

May he rest in peace.

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) August 16, 2025

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to his passing, writing that “Bob Simpson’s services will be remembered for generations.”

Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird said: ‘Simpson strengthened the foundations of Australian cricket and paved the way for future champions.’