TRIBUTES have poured in for Australian cricket legend Bob Simpson, who has died aged 89.
The former Baggy Greens skipper’s passing, the cause of which is currently unknown, was announced early on Saturday morning.
GETTYFormer Australia cricket captain Bob Simpson has died aged 89[/caption]
GETTYTributes have poured in for the late Simpson from around the world[/caption]
The late Simpson, who played in multiple Ashes series against England, was a pillar of Aussie cricket.
His death has reverberated across the cricket world and has led to scores of tributes from fans and former players alike.
A heartbreaking statement from Cricket Australia read: “RIP to a true cricket legend.
“A Test cricketer, captain, coach and national selector – Bob Simpson was a mighty figure in Australian cricket, giving everything to our game.
“Cricket Australia extends our thoughts and sympathies to Bob’s family and friends.”
The ICC also paid tribute to their late Hall of Famer, writing on X: “Our condolences to the friends and family of Bob Simpson.
“The ICC Hall of Famer and former Australia captain has passed away, aged 89.”
Steve Waugh said in a heartfelt tribute: “No one gave more to Australian cricket than Bob Simpson – coach, player, commentator, writer, selector, mentor and journalist.
APBob Simpson turned his hand to coaching after retiring from professional cricket[/caption]
“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.”
Former Chelsea and Manchester United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich wrote on X: “RIP Bob Simpson.
“The little bat you signed for my Father to give to me, I carried everywhere…and meeting you in England was a real honour.
Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, also paid tribute to the late Simpson, saying: “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.”
Cricket Australia Chairman Mark 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.
“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.”
No one gave more to Australian cricket than Bob Simpson – coach, player, commentator, writer, selector, mentor and journalist.”
Steve Waugh
A minute’s silence was held ahead of Australia’s test match against South Africa to honour the late Simpson, with the players also donning black armbands.
Simpson played an incredible 62 Tests for Australia, 39 of which he was captain, from 1957 to 1978 and scored 4896 runs.
He turned his hand to coaching after his retirement and took charge of the national team from 1986 to 1996, a period in which he transformed the team’s fortunes.
He guided the Baggy Greens to victory in the 1987 World Cup and a famous Ashes win in 1989.
But his best exploit in charge of the national team was perhaps leading his troops to a famous away series win over the previously dominant West Indies in 1995.
Simpson’s accolades both as a coach and a player saw him inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985 and made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2007.
Australia’s first full-time head coach was inducted into the nation’s Cricket Hall of Fame in 2006.
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