Cricket Australia mourn passing of former captain Bob Simpson
Cricket Australia is mourning the passing of former player and captain Bob Simpson, who has died at the age of 89 in Sydney.
Bob SimpsonSimpson played 62 Test matches - captaining in 39 - between 1957 and 1978, averaging 46.81 that included 10 centuries with a top score of 311 and claimed 71 wickets with two five-wicket hauls.
He is renowned for his decision to come out of retirement aged 41 to lead Australia upon the advent of World Series Cricket, captaining a team devoid of many established players to an eventful 3-2 home victory over India and on a difficult tour of the West Indies.
Simpson also served as Australia head coach from 1986 to 1996 and was instrumental in the revival of the team's fortunes, including victory in the 1987 World Cup, the 1989 Ashes series victory in England and an away series victory over West Indies in 1995.
He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985 and the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2006.
Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird said: "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.
"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."