Richie Benaud dead at 84

THE voice of cricket in Australia, Richie Benaud, has died in Sydney at the age of 84.

Benaud, born in Penrith in 1930, had been receiving radiation treatment for skin cancer since November.

He retired from the game in 1964 after a successful career as a leg-spinning all-rounder, and took up full-time cricket journalism and commentary.

Over the past five decades, he became famous around the world for his work behind the microphone, known affectionately among Aussie cricket fans as the voice of summer.

He did not feature in Nine’s commentary team over the last two seasons but made an appearance at the network’s launch of their season in November, 2014.

The year before he suffered complications after crashing his Sunbeam Alpine on the way home from his regular golf game, suffering a broken sternum as well as shoulder and chest injuries.

Benaud became one of the leading figures of Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket revolution in the 70s giving the fledgling breakaway group the voice of authority it required.

As a leg-spinning all-rounder he played 63 Tests for Australia, scoring three centuries with his 2201 runs coming at an average of 24.45.

His 248 Test wickets came at an average of 27.03. As captain he reclaimed the Ashes in 1958/59 and then defended them twice.

STATEMENT FROM CRICKET AUSTRALIA

Cricket Australia Chairman Wally Edwards has paid tribute to former Australian captain Richie Benaud, who has died aged 84.

“Our country has lost a national treasure,” Mr Edwards said.

“After Don Bradman, there has been no Australian player more famous or more influential than Richie Benaud.

“Richie stood at the top of the game throughout his rich life, first as a record-breaking leg-spinner and captain, and then as cricket’s most famous broadcaster who became the iconic voice of our summer.

“He was an important influence in the formation of Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket in 1977, a climactic event at the time but one which has left a lasting, positive influence on the game.

“He became a favourite of the masses as the long-serving anchor of the Nine Network’s cricket coverage in Australia and the BBC and Channel 4 in the UK. His crisp style, dry humour, understated delivery, and array of jackets made him one of the most loved personalities on television as he brought cricket to the lives of millions.

“Away from the camera he was a leader, mentor and positive influencer of an extraordinary number of cricketers.

“And despite his role as the treasured grandfather of the game, he remained deeply in touch with modern developments, embracing Twenty20 when others of older eras shunned it.

“His passing today marks a profound loss to our nation. Australian cricket and the game’s legions of fans extend deepest sympathies to Richie’s wife Daphne, brother John and the entire Benaud family at this sad time.”

RICHIE BENAUD CAREER:

TESTS: 63

WICKETS: 248

AVERAGE: 27.03

5 W: 16

BEST BOWLING: 7/72

RUNS: 2201

AVERAGE: 24.45

CENTURIES: 3

HIGHEST SCORE: 122