Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup win ended Bob Simpson’s tenure as Australian Coach

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Predicted bright future for Michael Tissera
Key figure in Muralitharan throwing controversy

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Bob Simpson toured Sri Lanka twice with the Australian team in 1961 and 1964

“This boy is going far, mark my word,” was the prophetic prediction of Bobby Simpson, the Australia Captain, on Michael Tissera when they stopped for the traditional whistle-stop match played at the P. Sara Oval on their way to England for the Ashes series in 1964.

Simpson passed away at the age of 89 on Friday, leaving behind a lasting legacy on Australian cricket history. An iconic figure as player, captain, and coach, Simpson, the former Test Captain and Coach is credited for birthing Australia’s modern-day golden era.

Sadly, his tenure as Australian Coach ended when Sri Lanka won the 1996 Cricket World Cup, defeating Australia in the final by seven wickets at Lahore.

Simpson’s comments were made after seeing the 25-year-old Tissera scoring a stylish unbeaten half-century against his team, in a match that was ruined by rain with Ceylon at 103-3 in reply to Australia’s 249.

The Australian bowling team comprised Grahame Corling, Neil Hawke, Tom Veivers, Johnny Martin, Simpson, and Bob Cowper.

After Ceylon had lost their first three wickets for 35, it was Buddy Reid and Tissera who resurrected the innings with an unbroken stand of 68—the 50 of the partnership being reached in just 23 minutes. Tissera was the dominant figure, scoring 51* and bringing up his half-century in 34 minutes, with 48 of those runs coming in boundaries. Both batsmen were well on top of the bowling when rain interrupted play and brought an early finish to the match.

“Yours was a talented side and gave us a good run. It was a vast improvement on what I saw last time out here,” were Simpson’s comments on Ceylon’s performance.

Simpson’s contribution in the match was 19, having opened the batting with Ian Redpath. He came to Sri Lanka in 1961 as well, as a member of the Australian team captained by Richie Benaud, and scored 27 in an opening partnership of 36 with Bill Lawry. On both occasions, Ceylon was led by C. Ievers Gunasekara.

Simpson as Australian Coach was a key figure in questioning Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan’s bowling action. According to ESPNcricinfo, Simpson had the official photographer take specific photos of Muralitharan’s action to analyse it. This led to the perception that Australia was targeting Muralitharan, who was controversially called for chucking by the Australian umpires during Sri Lanka’s tour of Australia in 1995-96.