The unlikely mentorship that just worked

Sports Cricket

Posted by AI on 2025-08-16 23:14:29 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-17 01:38:53

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Border recalls the odd couple pairing of he and Simpson that just worked

Born in Wales and migrating to Australia as a child, Bob Simpson took quite a circuitous route to become the Australian cricket team's national coach, starting as a schoolmaster and bursar at his old school, Sydney Grammar. He later moved onto coaching, and this is where he met his star protege, Allan Border the man who would go on to become one of Australia's most successful test captains.

Border recalled spending time playing golf with his coach, who unusually would not interfere or intervene, even if Border sliced or hooked a shot badly. Yet this odd couple relationship just worked, Border achieving success in Test cricket after taking over the captaincy from Greg Chappell.

Simpson's low-key, unstructured approach summed up as 'horses for courses' worked with the likes of Border, Ian Botham, and Graham Gooch. These were strong-willed characters who were ultimately loyal to Simpson and each other.

"We were an odd couple, but it just sort of worked," reflects Border, who formed part of a revered Australian top order alongside Steve Waugh, Mark Taylor, and David Boon.

Simpson and Border's success and relationship is one of many fascinating storylines in a new Sky documentary, Borderline, which charts the career of the Australian great from his tough beginnings, battling against racism and facing the fallout of the ball-tampering scandal, to enduring torrid English summers and an incredible redemption in Ashes cricket.

Go!