Obituary – Bob Simpson

[By Tom Wood – P.D.C.C. Historian]

On Saturday the 16^{th of} August 2025 Australian cricketing legend Bob Simpson passed away at 89 years of age.

The Parramatta District Cricket Club was privileged to have a person of Bob’s stature in both Australian and World Cricket to lead the club’s coaching programme for three seasons:

2006/07, 2007/08 and 2008/09.

Bob Simpson forged a monumental cricketing career after debuting for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield competition at 16–years -of-age he when on to become one of Australia’s foremost opening batsmen and captains – playing 62 Tests, scoring 4,869 runs @ 46.81 (H.S. – 311), claiming 71 wickets @ 42.26 (B.B. – 5/57) and pocketing 110 catches –  and later  Australia’s first full-time head coach, accredited with re-establishing Australia as a powerful force in international cricket.

Simmo at Parramatta training.

He brought a great wealth of cricket knowledge and know how, shaped from his international playing and coaching days, to his role at Parramatta. Bob introduced upgraded standards and processes to the club’s training programme – emphasising the importance of fielding, and the need for application and thought to be key elements of batting and bowling.

He was readily available to all players for discussions on how to enhance their cricket and lent his support to club by attending its major fundraising events during his tenure at the club.

All officials and players at the Parramatta Club were proud to have had such a cricketing giant associated with their club.

On a personal note, I certainly enjoyed many long conversations on cricket and travel with Bob, whilst sitting under a tree and Old Kings Oval watching Parra and my son Michael play.

Vale Bob Simpson from all at Parramatta.