Bob Simpson

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Lore & Background

Bob Simpson (1936–2020) was a legendary Australian cricketer, renowned for his exceptional batting, leg-spin bowling, and brilliant fielding. He captained Australia in both Test and World Series Cricket matches, and later served as a highly successful coach.

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.

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Did You Know?

• Simpson was only 16 years and 354 days old when he made his Sheffield Shield debut, making him the youngest cricketer capped by New South Wales.
• Simpson was an outstanding fielder, but the claim that he held the highest catch rate in Test cricket history is not supported by established records.
• At age 41, Simpson returned from ten years of retirement to captain Australia during the 1977–78 season, leading the team in official Test matches.
• As coach, he led Australia to victory against the West Indies on their home grounds in 1995, though the West Indies were not 'previously dominant' at that exact moment.
• He switched from accounting to journalism at age 20 after moving to Western Australia.