Richie Benaud, 'the voice of cricket', dies aged 84

Richie Benaud, the voice and face of summer for millions of cricket fans in England and Australia, has died aged 84 in a Sydney hospice.

A former leg spin bowler and Australian cricket captain, Benaud became a legendary commentator during a television career spanning half a century at both ends of the world.

With his unique style of speech, mop of silver hair and usually resplendent in a trademark cream jacket (which varied into white, off-white, bone, ivory or beige), Benaud became widely respected for the breadth of his knowledge of the game.

Benaud delivered cricketing insights with a wry sense of humour and an unflappable style that captivated audiences on Channel Nine in Australia, the BBC in the UK and later Channel Four.

"It's gone into the confectionery stall and out again" - after an Ian Botham six during England's memorable but unlikely 1981 victory over Australia at Headingley - was one of the many memorable phrases that flowed from the commentator over the decades.

Benaud played 63 Tests across a 12-year period for Australia, leading his country in 28 matches, never losing a series at the helm.

Benaud later played a vital role in the formation and success of World Series Cricket - Kerry Packer's rebel One Day tournament in the late 1970s that revolutionised the game into the money-driven game that it is today.

"To most Australians Richie Benaud was cricket," said Tony Abbott, Australia's prime minister.

"He personified its traditions and its values. While many Australians only know Richard Benaud as the voice of cricket, we should not forget that in his day he was a cricketer with few equals."

Born in Penrith, west of Sydney, Benaud's family were keen cricketers - his younger brother John went on to play three Tests for Australia. An 18-year old Richie made his first class debut for New South Wales on the final day of 1948, and played his first Test against West Indies in Sydney three years later.

A middle-order batsman and clever leg spin bowler, Benaud become the first cricketer to score 2,000 runs and take 200 wickets in Tests.

He was appointed Australia captain 1958-59 against England and regained the Ashes 4-0. Benaud achieved great success against the Old Enemy, retaining the Ashes in England in 1961 and again in Australia in 1962-63.

Benaud proved to be one of Australia's canniest captains, winning six series and drawing two. The winning series included the 1960-61 epic against West Indies that featured the Brisbane tied Test - the first tie in Test cricket history.

However, a shoulder injury cut short his cricketing career, forcing him to retire at 33 in 1963-64. His leg spin bowling brought him 248 wickets at an average of 27, and 2,201 Test runs - including three centuries - at an average of 24.5.

Benaud was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to cricket in 1961, was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2007, and the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame two years later.

A car crash in 2013 finally forced him off Australian television screens. He was diagnosed with skin cancer last year and was receiving treatment leading up to his death.

Benaud ended his final commentary in England during the 2005 Ashes series with the words: "It's time to say goodbye. To add to that, thank you for having me. It's been absolutely marvellous for 42 years. I've loved every moment of it. It's been a privilege to go into everyone's living rooms throughout that time. What's even better, it's been a great deal of fun."

Richard "Richie" Benaud, born October 6 1930, died April 10 2015. He is survived by his wife Daphne, sons Greg and Jeffery from a previous marriage and brother John.

© The Financial Times Limited 2015. All rights reserved.
FT and Financial Times are trademarks of the Financial Times Ltd.
Not to be redistributed, copied or modified in any way.
Euro2day.gr is solely responsible for providing this translation and the Financial Times Limited does not accept any liability for the accuracy or quality of the translation