Cricket: Simpson joins Lancashire as coach

LANCASHIRE HAVE named Bobby Simpson as their coach for the next two years. The 63-year-old Australian fills the gap left by Dav Whatmore, who left the club in the middle of last season to return to Sri Lanka.

"I have a burning ambition to lead a county and the thought of working with Lancashire excites me," Simpson said. "I have many fond memories of playing Lancashire League cricket with Accrington. And Old Trafford will always remain close to my heart after the 1964 tour." Simpson scored 311 in the fourth Test of that year, his highest Test score.

"I'm sure all the players are looking forward to working with one of the world's top coaches and I'm looking forward to renewing our old friendship," the Lancashire chairman, Jack Simmons, said.

Simpson's record, as a player and coach, is outstanding. He appeared in 62 Tests, starting in 1957, scoring 4,869 runs at an average of 46.81. He was also a brilliant slip fielder and a useful leg-spinner.

After retiring from first-class cricket in 1968 he returned almost a decade later to help Australia through the chaos caused by the World Series revolution. Later, as manager, he linked up with the captain Allan Border to transform Australia into the world's most powerful side.