Bob Simpson becomes the oldest captain to score Test hundred

Test cricket was torn apart, thanks to World Series Cricket (WSC) in 1977. The Australian first choice players were playing in WSC, expect for Jeff Thompson. Bob Simpson, who had retired 10 years back, returned to captain the Australian side. Simpson, who was almost 42, was then playing for Western Suburbs in Sydney Grade Cricket...

Test cricket was torn apart, thanks to World Series Cricket (WSC) in 1977. The Australian first choice players were playing in WSC, expect for Jeff Thompson. Bob Simpson, who had retired 10 years back, returned to captain the Australian side. Simpson, who was almost 42, was then playing for Western Suburbs in Sydney Grade Cricket and had not played at first-class level for a decade.

Simpson’s first assignment was a five Test home series against India. He had led Australia to a win in the first Test at Brisbane, and scored a fine 89.

On this day in 1977, Simpson defied his age and scored a fighting 176 at Perth. At 41 years and 316 days, Simpson became the oldest Test captain to score a hundred.

India had scored 402 in the first innings and Australia were struggling at 65 for three, when Simpson walked in. Wickets kept falling at the other end, but the Australian captain stood like a fort, defied the Indian spin attack and crafted a match-winning knock. His knock lasted for six hours forty-one minutes and containing 17 boundaries, as Australia posted 394.

Simpson’s innings went on to be the difference in a match that swung unpredictably each day. India set Australia a target of 339, and the hosts managed to win the thriller by two wickets. Simpson again scored 39 in the second innings.

A month later at Adelaide, he scored another hundred in what was the fifth and decider Test of the series. His hundred at Adelaide, came five days short of his 42nd birthday, and that set the new record of the oldest captain to score a Test hundred. Under Simpson, Australia went on to win the series 3-2.

About the Author