Bob Simpson, former Australian cricket captain and coach, has died at the age of 89.
Simpson was an influential figure in Australian cricket for more than four decades as a player, captain, coach and commentator, after making his Test debut in South Africa in 1957.
He played 62 Tests and captained Australia across two stints, the second after coming out of retirement at the age of 41 to lead the side during the World Series Cricket era.
Simpson later became the nation’s first full-time coach and helped guide the side’s reemergence in the 1980s and into one of the cricket powerhouses during the following decade.
Alongside captains Allan Border and Mark Taylor, Simpson was at the helm as Australia won the 1987 World Cup, regained the Ashes in England in 1989, and defeated the West Indies away from home in 1995.
Simpson first toured with Australia as a leg-spinning all-rounder but eventually found his place at the top of the batting order as he turned into an opener.
He took until his 30th Test to compile a first century, when he was already Australia captain, but made the most of his first ton as he reached 311 against England at Old Trafford.
Simpson finished with 10 Test centuries among 4,869 runs at an average of 46.81, and continued to be a capable if underused leg-spinner who claimed 71 wickets at an average of 42.26.
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