On Saturday, Cricket Australia (CA) said Simpson died in Sydney at the age of 89. Simpson played 62 Tests for Australia from 1957 to 1978, scoring 4,869 runs at an average of 46.81, including 10 centuries and 27 half-centuries with a highest score of 311.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He took 110 catches and 71 wickets at 42.26 with two five-wicket hauls and best figures of 5\/57. Simpson also captained Australia in 39 Tests and as their head coach from 1986 to 1996, Australia won the 1987 World Cup, the 1989 Ashes in England and an away series victory over the West Indies in 1995.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cNo one gave more to Australian cricket than Bob Simpson - coach, player, commentator, writer, selector, mentor and journalist. He was quite simply the best cricket coach with an unparalleled knowledge of the game together with an insatiable appetite for learning and imparting his wisdom. He made me a better player and he made Australian cricket great. RIP Simmo,\u201d wrote Waugh in an Instagram post.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Australian team will pay tribute to Simpson with a moment\u2019s silence before tonight\u2019s third T20I against South Africa in Cairns and will also wear black armbands. Former Australia captain Allan Border recalled the strong relationship he shared with the legendary Simpson in his initial years as the side\u2019s captain.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"Behind the scenes he was the sergeant major and disciplinarian and that allowed me to do what I did best. Occasionally, I would blow up but it never lasted for long. I suppose we were a bit of an odd couple but it just sort of worked.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"Bob and I would play golf but I spent more time with Ian Chappell who did not get along with Simmo so I found myself in the middle of that one constantly defending Simmo to Ian. I\u2019m not sure I got that far!\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"Behind the scenes he was the sergeant major and disciplinarian and that allowed me to do what I did best. Occasionally, I would blow up but it never lasted for long. I suppose we were a bit of an odd couple but it just sort of worked.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Former Australian cricketer David Boon also paid a tribute to Simpson. \u201cIt\u2019s a shock and a hard hit \u2013 I know he hasn\u2019t been well. He had a special place in my heart and many others. He worked so hard to challenge us. I absolutely loved my involvement with him.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n