Cricket great Richie Benaud passes away aged 84

Richie Benaud during his final stint as commentator in England – The 2005 Ashes

Cricket commentator and former Australian cricketer Richie Benaud died in a Sydney hospice aged 84. Benaud was a former Australian captain, who after retirement in 1964 became a widely respected cricket commentator. The all-rounder was being treated for skin cancer since November 2014.

Considered to be the most famous Australian personality in cricket after Sir Don Bradman, Benaud played in 63 international Test matches, captaining Australia in 28 of those. Benaud had a glittering first-class career as he took 945 wickets in 259 first-class matches and scored 23 centuries en route to his 11,719 first-class runs.

He is famous for never losing a Test series as Australian captain, winning five matches and losing just two. He was the first player to score 2,000 runs and take 200 wickets in Tests. After his retirement in 1964, he stayed with the game of cricket as a commentator.

In 1961, prior to his retirement, Benaud was made an Officer in the Order of the British Empire for his services to cricket.

Benaud was a master with the microphone, just as he was on the pitch, and was one of cricket’s most widely impersonated commentators. His wit from the commentary box brought the game in a new light to millions who followed the game.

Here is one of his quips from the commentary box that showed the man’s humour:

“And Glenn McGrath dismissed for two, just 98 runs short of his century”

- Richie Benaud

His final commentary in England came at the 2005 Ashes, but he continued lending his voice to the game for Channel Nine in Australia till 2013, when his sports car hit a brick wall outside his Coogee home. This left him with two fractured vertebrae and ended his long association with cricket commentary.

Fast bowling great Alan Davidson, who grew up and played with Benaud right since his school days, gave a glowing tribute to the former Australian captain.

He said, “He (Benaud) was a great assessor of the game. With Richie, it was never a risk but always a calculated decision to do something. Nobody every analyzed or knew the opposition like Richie did, and it was the same thing with his own team – he knew what every player in the side could do and that allowed for him to make decisions which, to the outsider, who wasn't a cricket expert, seemed 'different'.

“Richie could assess a situation quickly, it wasn't so much waiting for a coach to send a message out because he acted mid-over. I bowled long spells for him on many an occasion, he was a brilliant captain, a joy to play for – you have no idea,” Davidson concluded.

Benaud is survived by his wife of 48 years, Daphne, and two children from his first marriage.

Tributes to Benaud have been flying in ever since the news of his departure was reported.

So sad to lose such a legend & gentleman. Richie Benaud has passed away aged 84 overnight. pic.twitter.com/8pn2l1ZvxF

— Sandra Sully (@Sandra_Sully) April 9, 2015

Richie Benaud has passed away. Farewell Mr Cricket, cricket commentary will never ever be the same without you. Rest in peace.

— Milan Kaka Baros (@milankakabaros) April 9, 2015

Richie Benaud had a voice that could disarm the most hell-bent suicide bomber. A voice that will ring in my ear forever. #richiebenaud

— Dipankar Lahiri (@soiledshoes) April 9, 2015

Richie Benaud's voice was calming, soothing. When he spoke, it was like being on your granddad's knee while he told you stories.

— Alt Cricket (@AltCricket) April 9, 2015

RIP Richie Benaud (1930-2015)