Bob Simpson Dies 1936-2025 | Master Batsman, Brilliant Fielder, Captain & Coach of Champions - video Dailymotion

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Bob Simpson was more than just a cricketer – he was a legend who shaped Australian cricket for generations. From his days as a technically correct opening batsman and world-class slip fielder, to his leadership as captain and later as coach, Simpson’s influence stretched across decades.  ⚡ In this video, we look at:  His batting mastery and famous partnerships with Bill Lawry 🏏  His underrated skills as a leg-spin bowler 🎯  His world record fielding at slip 🧤  His tough but effective leadership style 💪  How he transformed Australia as coach in the 1980s and built a golden generation 🌟  Simpson was a disciplinarian, a strategist, and above all, a winner. This is the story of a man who took Australian cricket from difficult times to world dominance.  👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more cricket stories and tributes.  📌 Hashtags  #BobSimpson #AustralianCricket #CricketHistory #CricketLegends #CricketTribute #CricketAustralia #TestCricket #CricketCoach #CricketStories

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00:00The world of Australian cricket is mourning the loss of one of its greatest servants.

00:05Former Test captain and Australian full-time coach, Bob Simpson has passed away in Sydney

00:11at the age of 89. For more than four decades, Bob Simpson was the heart of Australian cricket

00:17as a cricketer, captain, coach, commentator and mentor. His journey began in the 1957-58 season,

00:25when he first toured with Australia as an all-rounder, a handy leg-break baller and an

00:31exceptional slipfielder. He soon established himself as a reliable opening bestman. But

00:37it took until his 30th test, already as captain, to score his median 100. And what a statement it was,

00:44a marathon 311 runs at Old Trafford in 1964, lasting nearly 13 hours. In his prime,

00:52Bob Simpson was renowned for his technical correctness and ability to bat for longer

00:57periods. Although slightly below average height, his exceptional fitness and concentration made him a

01:04tireless presence at the crease. Partnering with Bill Laurie, he formed one of the Test Cricket's

01:09most-suspected opening pairs. Together, they were admired not only for their stroke play but also

01:15for their sharp running between the wickets, often turning ones into twos with seamless understanding.

01:21Bob Simpson's batting evolved after a technical adjustment in the late 1950s, when he moved from

01:27a square-on stance to a more side-on position. This change allowed him to handle both in-swingers

01:34and out-swingers with greater assurance. Standing 179 cm and weighing 83 kg,

01:40Bob Simpson became an elegant yet forceful bestman. His signature strokes included the straight drive,

01:47the square-cut and the on-drive plate from the toes, rarely one for the hook shot. He used the

01:52pull sparingly, preferring a measured and disciplined approach at the crease. Beyond batting,

01:58Bob Simpson was a handy leg-spin baller, claiming more than a wicket per test and twice taking five

02:03wickets in an innings. In first-class cricket, he captured 349 wickets at 38.07, although he admitted

02:12that an overuse of the googly often led to inconsistency. Still, his bowling offered Australia

02:19a valuable extra option when needed. In the field, Bob Simpson was unmatched,

02:24widely regarded as the finest slipfielders of his era. His reflexes were described as sharp enough to

02:30catch flies with his hands. He took 110 test catches, setting a world record at the time, and his rate of

02:370.94 catches per innings remains the best among non-wicket keepers. As Captain Bob Simpson was

02:44seen as a tough leader, he believed strongly in disciplined teamwork and work ethic, often demanding

02:50more from his players than they thought possible. That same philosophy shaped his later career as

02:56Australia's coach in the mid-1980s, when the team was at a low point. Although some clashed with his

03:03strict methods, Bob Simpson's insistence on fitness and fielding standards laid the foundation for

03:09Australia's return to dominance, a position they firmly held by the time he retired from coaching

03:15in 1996. Sporting talent came naturally to Bob Simpson. Before cricket fully claimed him,

03:21he excelled at golf, baseball, and soccer. Yet whatever the game, his trademark was the same — confidence,

03:28tenacity, and the will to compete at the highest level. Over the course of his career,

03:34Bob Simpson played 62 test matches between 1957 and 1978, scoring 4,869 runs at an average of 46.81,

03:45including 10 centuries, all made as captain. He also claimed 71 figures and was regarded as one of

03:52the finest slipfielders of all time. In first-class cricket, his numbers were monumental — 21,029 runs

03:59and 349 wickets. Bob Simpson first retired in 1968 after 50 tests and 29 matches as captain,

04:08but destiny had more in store for him. In 1977, during the chaos of World Series cricket,

04:14Simpson then 41 made a stunning comeback to captain Australia once again. He led the team against India

04:21at home and against a formidable West Indies sideaway, showcasing resilience and grit in an era of

04:28uncertainty. As a captain, his record was outstanding. He averaged 54.07 in tests while leading,

04:35compared to 33.67 before taking charge. His leadership transformed him, and his batting blossomed

04:42under responsibility, with highlights including his famous 311 and two further double centuries. But

04:49perhaps Simpson's most enduring legacy came not as a player, but as a coach. In 1986,

04:56when Australian cricket was struggling at its lowest point, Bob Simpson was called upon once more.

05:02Alongside Alan Potter, he instilled discipline, fitness, and hard work into a new generation of

05:09cricketers. Under his guidance, names like Steve Waugh, Dean Jones, Greg McDermott,

05:14Mauve Hughes, and David Boone began to flourish. Later, the golden generation of Mark Taylor,

05:20Shane Vaughn, Glenn McGrath, Ricky Pounting, Matthew Hayden, and Justin Langer all passed through

05:26Simpson's tough-but-nurturing system. The results spoke for themselves. Australia won the 1987 World Cup,

05:32regained the ashes in 1989, and finally toppled the mighty West Indies in 1995 to claim the unofficial title

05:40of the world's best side. Players often spoke of Simpson as a disciplinarian, but also as the mentor

05:47who shaped them into champions. Shane Vaughn, in particular, credited him for tactical advice

05:53that changed his bowling approach, including the bold strategy of coming around the wickets.

05:58Bob Simpson emphasizes on fitness, and fielding became trademarks of Australian cricket rise in the

06:041990s. After his stint with the national team ended in 1996, Bob Simpson continued to spread his

06:11knowledge. He coached Leicestershire and Lancashire in English county cricket, advised Rajasthan in

06:17India's Ranji Trophy, and even guided the Netherlands through their success campaign to qualify for the

06:232007 World Cup. His contributions were recognized across the cricketing world. He was named as a

06:29Visiting Cricketer of the Year in 1965, inducted into both the ICC Hall of Fame and the Australian

06:36Cricket Hall of Fame, and remembered universally as a pioneer of modern coaching. Bob Simpson was more

06:43than just a player or a coach. He was a builder, a reformer, and a visionary. Australian cricket would

06:49not have been the same without him. His passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy lives on every

06:56time an Australian team's walk onto the field with discipline, skill and pride. If you like this video

07:02please comment, share and subscribe. Thank you very much.

Bob Simpson Dies 1936-2025 | Master Batsman, Brilliant Fielder, Captain & Coach of Champions

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