Former Australian captain and coach Bob Simpson has passed away aged 89, Cricket Australia has confirmed.

Simpson, one of Australian cricket’s most influential figures, represented his country in 62 Tests between 1957 and 1978, scoring 4869 runs at 46.81 while taking 71 wickets. He captained Australia in 39 Tests, winning 12.

The New South Welshman famously came out of retirement aged 41 to lead an undermanned Australian team during the World Series Cricket era.

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Simpson later became the Australian cricket team’s first full-time coach, helping rebuild a struggling side that failed to win a Test series for four years into one of the sport’s powerhouses.

Under his guidance, Australia won the 1987 World Cup, four Ashes campaigns and the 1995 the Frank Worrell Trophy, ending a 17-year drought against the West Indies.

He stepped down as Australian coach following the 1996 World Cup, also serving as a national selector.

Australian cricket team coach Bob Simpson in 1994.Source: News Corp Australia

Simpson was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985 and the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2006.

He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1978 and added to the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2013.

“Bob Simpson was one of the greats of Australian cricket and this is a sad day for anyone fortunate to have watched him play or who benefited from his wisdom,” CA chair Mike Baird said in a statement.

“As a brilliant opening batter, incredible slips fielder and handy spin bowler, Bob was a mainstay of a very strong Australian team in the 1960s, and he became a leader across the game as Australian and New South Wales captain and as a coach.

“Bob’s decision to come out of retirement to successfully lead the Australian team during the advent of World Series Cricket in 1977 was a wonderful service to the game, and his coaching set the foundation for a golden era for Australian cricket.

“On behalf of Cricket Australia, I would like to express my warmest condolences to Bob’s family, friends, teammates and all those touched by his vast contribution to cricket.”

The Australian men’s team will pay tribute to Simpson with a moment’s silence before Saturday’s ODI against South Africa in Cairns.