Vale Bobby Simpson

[Burgey]

The boy from Marrickville West Public School has passed away aged 89.

One of the greatest to have ever done it. His contribution to post-war Australian cricket is probably second only to Border’s, with whom he worked so well.

Vale.

 

[Line and Length]

He definitely had a huge impact on Australian cricket - both as a captain and as a coach, As well as being a fine opening bat, he was a more than useful bowler and one of the ATG slips fieldsmen.

 

[Burgey]

Averaged 54 as captain, which includes 77/78 when he came back in his 40/ and averaged 38 or so.

From first hand experience, his fielding drills were ****ing hell on earth. He ran some down at Parra years ago after he’d retired as Aus coach and there were blokes lying around on the ground everywhere as crook as Rookwood.

He just destroyed you. I mean he broke down every ounce of self worth you had as a fielder and rebuilt you as the absolute best you were capable of being. He was an incredible coach. And when he spoke about batting, you ****ing well listened too. A lovely bloke and a proper gent, with that slightly hard edge a lot of really elite sports people have too. WAFG.

 

[quincywagstaff]

Arguably his greatest legacy is the Australian standard of fielding.

The season before he joined as a coach - 1984/85 - was notorious for how badly Australia fielded as they dropped sitters regularly and their overall standard was embarrassingly bad.

Since Simpson took charge of fielding in the mid-80s the all-round excellence of Australia in the field has always been one of its defining characteristics.

 

[the big bambino]

Arguably the greatest ever contributor to the well being of Australian cricket. Imagine coming back after 10 years retirement and then facing the WI 4 horsemen. This after runs against the Indian spin magicians. He took Australia from the bottom to eventually the best in the world. He improved standards from running between wickets, fielding and batting generally. He helped pick out the emerging talent in Oz cricket and set an example of leadership and courage. Australian cricket owes him so much. Sad day.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

RIP Bobby.

He made a great mark on Australian cricket.

 

[Spikey]

RIP

And let's not forget that this great figure of Australian cricket was knifed as coach by Mark Taylor and the other 1990s Australian players, who then cried when Justin Langer got sacked 25 years later

 

[honestbharani]

A great player and a great coach. Oft forgotten but he also had a hand in India starting to get better in the early and mid 90s and was our first real foreign coach, even though he was more of a consultant back then than full time. He definitely helped set up some of the basics that has driven us forward since then. RIP.

 

[morgieb]

Has a case of being the most influential player in Australian history. I really don't think you can talk about enough the work he did in the 80's in making Australia a powerhouse. I think it's gone a long way to ensuring that even when Australia wasn't necessarily the most talented team they're rarely a side that gives an inch. Add his actual career and....

RIP to one of the greats.

 

[capt_Luffy]

A great batsman, fielder, captain, coach and human being.

RIP

 

[Himannv]

RIP legend. Truly one of the greats.

 

[Silver Silva]

RIP Bob Simpson

 

[BazBall21]

RIP Bobby. Brilliant cricketer.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Great cricketer, thinker, and leader of men