Cricket Australia pays tribute to Bob Simpson
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Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird has led the tributes to former Test captain and coach Bob Simpson, who has died aged 89.
The Australian team, who is playing South Africa in the T20 decider in Cairns, will hold a momen’t silence and wear black armbands at the Cazalys Stadium on Saturday.
“Bob Simpson was one of the greats of Australian cricket and this is a sad day for anyone fortunate to have watched him play or who benefited from his wisdom.
“As a brilliant opening batter, incredible slips fielder and handy spin bowler, Bob was a mainstay of a very strong Australian team in the 1960s, and he became a leader across the game as Australian and New South Wales captain and as a coach.
“Bob’s decision to come out of retirement to successfully lead the Australian team during the advent of World Series Cricket in 1977 was a wonderful service to the game, and his coaching set the foundation for a golden era for Australian cricket.
“On behalf of Cricket Australia, I would like to express my warmest condolences to Bob’s family, friends, teammates and all those touched by his vast contribution to cricket.”
Simpson was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2013.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was among the first to pay tribute to Simpson.
“Bob Simpson’s extraordinary service to Australian cricket spanned generations. As a player, captain and then era-defining coach, he set the highest standards for himself and the champions he led,” Albanese wrote on X.
“He will be long remembered by the game he loved. May he rest in peace.”
AAP
