AUS vs SA 3rd T20I: Why are Australia players wearing black armbands? | Cricket News
Australian cricketers wore black armbands during the third and deciding T20I against South Africa at Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns on Saturday, as a mark of respect to former captain and coach Bob Simpson, who passed away aged 89. The news of his demise was confirmed by Cricket Australia on Saturday. Before the first ball was bowled, both teams lined up and observed a minute’s silence in Simpson’s memory. Australia, led by Mitchell Marsh, won the toss and chose to bowl in what was a series decider. Simpson was one of the most influential figures in Australian cricket, with a career spanning roles as player, captain, coach, commentator and selector. He played 62 Tests between 1957 and 1978, scoring 4,869 runs at an average of 46.81 with 10 centuries, and also contributed as a part-time leg-spinner with 71 wickets. Remarkably, he returned from retirement at the age of 41 to lead a depleted Australian side against India and the West Indies during the late 1970s, earning admiration for his grit and leadership. As national coach from 1986 to 1996, Simpson was central to Australia’s resurgence. His tenure included the 1987 World Cup win, the 1989 Ashes triumph in England, and a landmark Test series victory in the Caribbean in 1995.
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Tributes poured in following his death. Former captain Steve Waugh summed up Simpson’s influence, saying: “No 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.”
