Bob Simpson

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Simpson's origins were deeply rooted in Scottish heritage; born to immigrants from Falkirk, he grew up in Marrickville, Sydney. His father Jock played soccer for Stenhousemuir, his grandfather Harry for Stoke, and a relative was the England international Jock Simpson. Encouraged by brothers Bill and Jack, Simmo showed early leadership, captaining Marrickville West Primary School at 12 and Tempe Intermediate High School later. A naturally ambitious competitor, he famously appealed loudly against his own brother Jack for lbw despite a loud edge, which the umpire upheld. He even raised money for golf clubs by collecting lost balls from Marrickville Golf Course to sell second-hand. In 1956, while teammates rushed to aid John Shaw after he was hit in the head by a bouncer, Simpson appealed for Shaw's lbw. At age 41, he returned to captain Australia during World Series Cricket, proving his tenacity remained undimmed.

In Their Own Story

Simpson made his Sheffield Shield debut on 23 January 1953, just 11 days shy of his seventeenth birthday for New South Wales against Victoria. At 16 years and 354 days, he was the second youngest cricketer capped by NSW, only three months older than Ian Craig. Upon arrival, vice-captain Arthur Morris asked where his nappies were. He scored 44 and 8, unbeaten in both innings. In a drawn match, Simpson attempted to run two from the last ball but was caught short; when Victorian captain Sam Loxton appealed angrily, umpire Hugh McKinnon dismissed it, noting, "it's the last ball of the game and his first match." Later that season, he took his maiden wicket by catching Ian Johnson. In 1954–55, Simpson reached 98 against England before light drizzle fell. English captain Len Hutton ordered his men off despite no official adjournment. Fearing a rain delay would stop his century, Simpson charged spinner Johnny Wardle and was stumped, yet still helped NSW inflict a rare defeat on the victorious touring side.

Reader's Guide

Simpson's career trajectory shifted dramatically after being overlooked for the 1956 England tour. Moving to Western Australia at age 20, he switched professions from accounting to journalism with the Daily News in Perth. He found form in December with scores of 75, 97, 26, 96, and 112 not out against Queensland. Selected for the 1957–58 tour of South Africa, Ian Chappell noted he was included "mainly for his catching." As a coach starting in 1986 until July 1996, Simpson transformed a struggling team into the world's strongest. Key achievements under his tutelage included winning the 1987 World Cup, regaining The Ashes in England in 1989, and overcoming the dominant West Indies on their home grounds in 1995. He also coached Leicestershire and Lancashire in county cricket before being replaced by Geoff Marsh.

Did You Know?

• Simpson was only 16 years and 354 days old when he made his Sheffield Shield debut, making him the second youngest cricketer capped by New South Wales.
• He held the highest catch rate in Test cricket history as an outstanding fielder.
• At age 41, Simpson returned from ten years of retirement to captain Australia during the World Series Cricket era.
• As coach, he led Australia to victory against the previously dominant West Indies on their home grounds in 1995.
• He switched from accounting to journalism at age 20 after moving to Western Australia.