Australian cricket legend and hall-of-famer Bob Simpson has sadly died at the age of 89.

The highly respected Simpson was a former Australian Test captain and also a national cricket coach and selector.

He is famous for making a comeback to Test cricket at the age of 41 when the game had been ripped apart by Kerry Packer’s World Series cricket.

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After a decorated career as a right-handed batter, a leg-spinner and excellent fielder, Simpson became the first full-time coach Australia had ever had in the mid 1980s.

Simpson was known for his strong opinions, strong work ethic, and ferocious determination.

Born in Marrickville in New South Wales, he will be remembered as one of the most influential figures Australia has had, shaping the culture of the team, and setting it up for years of dominance.

He is also credited for persuading the legendary Shane Warne to bowl around the wicket.

Tributes flowed after news of his death was made public.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Simpson’s “extraordinary service to Australian cricket” spanned generations.

“As a player, captain and then era-defining coach, he set the highest of standards for himself and the champions he led.

“He will be long remembered by the game he loved. May he rest in peace.”

Veteran sports reporter Stephen Quartermain said: “Vale Bob Simpson. An Australian cricket giant.”

And TV presenter Sandra Sully shared the news: “‘No-one gave more’: Vale Australian cricket icon Bob Simpson.”

Aussie soccer legend Mark Bosnich said: “RIP Bob Simpson … the little bat you signed for my Father to give to me I carried everywhere… and meeting you in England was a real honour.”

And a fan said: “Bob Simpson and Allan Border picked Australian cricket up off its knees and began the long trek back to world dominance. An Australian sporting legend as a player and coach RIP Bob 🙏.”

Simpson made his Test debut in 1957 in Johannesburg.

He went on to appear in 62 Test matches across a whopping 21-year career, making 4869 runs with an impressive average of 46.81.

His highest Test score was 311 in 1964 when Australia played England at Manchester.

He was Australia’s 30th Test captain.

In 1985 Simpson was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

“Simpson’s remarkable career is all the more remarkable because it was broken by a 10 year absence from the Test arena,” Sport Australia said at the time.

“After retiring at the end of the 1967/68 series against India, he made a comeback and took over the reins in 1977 after many of the top players joined World Series Cricket.

“He captained the Australians to a 3-2 series win over India in 1977/78 and to a series against the West Indies, which they lost 3-1.

“In all, he amassed 21,029 runs at an average of 56.22 in first-class cricket, hit 60 centuries, took 349 wickets at an average of 38.07, and took 384 catches.”

Bob Simpson special honours

1965: Named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year

1978: Made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM)

1985: Inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame

2000: Received an Australian Sports Medal

2001: Received a Centenary Medal for services to sport (cricket)

2006: Inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame

2007: Made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)

2013: Inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame