AUS vs SA, 3rd T20I: Why are Australian players wearing black armbands?

Australian players wore black armbands during the third and deciding T20I against South Africa at Cazaly’s Stadium, Cairns on Saturday.

The team, led by Mitchell Marsh, made the gesture to pay tribute to former Australian captain and coach Bob Simpson, who passed away at the age of 89. The two teams also observed a moment’s silence prior to the game.

Simpson played 62 Tests for Australia between 1957 and 1978, scoring 4869 runs at 46.81, including 10 centuries, 27 half-centuries, with a top score of 311. He took 110 catches and 71 wickets at 42.26 with two five-wicket hauls and best figures of 5/57.

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Simpson is renowned particularly for his decision to come out of retirement aged 41 to lead Australia upon the advent of World Series Cricket, captaining a team devoid of many established players to an eventful 3-2 home victory over India and on a difficult tour of the West Indies.

As national coach from 1986 to 1996, Simpson was instrumental in the revival of the Australian team’s fortunes, including victory in the 1987 World Cup, the 1989 Ashes series victory in England and an away series victory over the previously dominant West Indies in 1995.

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