Vale Bob Simpson AO

Born in Marrickville in 1936, Simpson’s career as a cricketer, captain, coach and commentator spanned more than four decades. 
 
Before his state debut, Simpson had already marked himself as a prodigy in Sydney grade cricket. At just 14 he struck 105 not out in the NSW Churches A Grade competition, and the following year dominated the A.W. Green Shield with 627 runs at 156.75 and 28 wickets at 11.67. Promoted rapidly through the ranks at Petersham-Marrickville, he advanced from fourth grade to first grade within the space of a season, making his first-grade debut at just 16.  

In his very next summer, he dismissed Richie Benaud for 10 and went on to score 59 not out in the same match, an early sign of the talent that would carry him into the NSW side just weeks later. 11 days shy of his 17th birthday, Simpson was selected to make his Sheffield Shield debut for NSW, becoming the second youngest to do so for the state. 

Over a first-grade career spanning nearly three decades with Petersham-Marrickville and later Western Suburbs, Simpson scored 10,716 runs at an average of 60.20, including 36 centuries, a record he once shared with Victor Trumper and Warren Bardsley. 

After departing NSW for Western Australia in 1956, Simpson returned to his native state in 1961–62, helping NSW complete a ninth consecutive Shield title. 

As Neil Harvey and Alan Davidson retired at the end of the 1962–63 season, Simpson was elevated to the vice-captaincy of both NSW and Australia under Richie Benaud. He went on to become one of the State’s and the country’s finest cricketers, captaining Australia and leaving an enduring legacy at every level of the game. 

Across 62 Tests and two ODIs for Australia between 1957 and 1978, Simpson scored 4,869 runs at an average of 46.81, including 10 centuries and a highest score of 311 against England at Old Trafford in 1964, his first Test hundred and one of only seven Australian triple-centurions. A brilliant slips fielder, he claimed 110 catches, and his leg-spin delivered 71 wickets, including a best of 5/57 in the Ashes. 

Appointed Australia’s 30th Test captain in 1963, Simpson led the side in 39 matches, with 12 wins, 12 losses and 15 draws. When the game was rocked by World Series Cricket in 1977, he famously returned from retirement at the age of 41 to captain Australia, guiding his country to a 3-2 series win against India.  

NSW Team of 150 Years

In all, Simpson’s numbers underline his standing among the game’s greats. Across his 67 first-class matches for NSW, Simpson compiled 5,317 runs at 53.17, including 15 centuries. Among his most famous innings was a monumental 359 against QLD in 1963–64, made in reply to the Bulls’ 613, when he batted for over 10 hours to help NSW to victory. Although best known for his batting, Simpson also produced a five-wicket haul for the state at just 18, remaining the youngest New South Welshman to achieve the feat. In all, he scored more than 21,000 first-class runs with 60 centuries, took 349 wickets, and pouched 384 catches, 102 of them for NSW. 

Following his playing days, Simpson became one of Australia’s most successful coaches. Appointed national coach in 1985, he was instrumental in rebuilding the Australian side alongside Allan Border AO. Under his leadership, the team won the 1987 World Cup, four consecutive Ashes series, and the Frank Worrell Trophy in 1995, ending the West Indies’ 15-year dominance. 

Simpson’s contribution to the game has been recognised with some of the game’s highest honours.  

Named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1965, he was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985, the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2006, and the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2014. He was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1978 and elevated to Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2007.  He is a Life Member of Cricket NSW and was inducted into the Cricket NSW Hall of Fame in 2008 as a member of the NSW Team of 150 years. 

John Knox, CNSW Chair said: 

“Bob Simpson is a true great of NSW and Australian cricket. He had a huge influence on Sydney grade, first class and international cricket.  

Bob is a Life Member of CNSW and as a member of the ‘NSW Team of 150 years’ was inducted into our Hall of Fame in 2008.  

On behalf of Cricket NSW, I would like to extend my warmest condolences to Bob’s family, friends, former teammates and all who were touched by his remarkable career and lifelong dedication to cricket”.