Former Australia cricket captain, commentator Richie Benaud dies at 84
Benaud, considered one of the most influential cricket identities of the past century, had been fighting skin cancer and died overnight in a Sydney hospice. (Source: AP)
Former Australia cricket captain and television commentator Richie Benaud has died at the age of 84, said his employer Channel Nine network .
Benaud, considered one of the most influential cricket identities of the past century, had been fighting skin cancer and died overnight in a Sydney hospice.
Nine Network chief executive David Gyngell said in statement “Richie Benaud’s passing has robbed us not only of a national treasure but a lovely man … Richie earned the profound and lasting respect of everyone across the world of cricket and beyond.”
A veteran of 63 test matches, Benaud played a pivotal role in the formation of World Series Cricket in the 1970s and was one of the world’s most recognized commentators, anchoring the Nine Network’s cricket coverage for decades.
In 2013, Benaud was involved in a car crash outside his Coogee home in eastern Sydney that left him with two fractured vertebrae and ended his time in the commentary box.
Nine reported that Benaud’s wife, Daphne, and other family members were by his side when he died.
“Richie Benaud’s passing has robbed us not only of a national treasure but a lovely man,” Nine Network chief executive David Gyngell said in a statement. “Richie earned the profound and lasting respect of everyone across the world of cricket and beyond. First as an outstanding player and captain, then as an incomparable commentator and through it all, as a wonderful human being.”
Australian test captain Michael Clarke said Benaud was a gentleman who played cricket in the right spirit.
“He was a great player and a great captain; a wonderful leader of men and he continued that off the field,” Clarke said. “He loved winning. He helped the Australian team have the attitude where they wanted to win. He played the game the right way.”
Benaud, born in Penrith outside Sydney, had a memorable test career as a wily leg-spin bowler and middle-order batsman which began in 1952 and ended in 1964.
He was the first player to score 2,000 test runs and take 200 test wickets but was most highly regarded not for his individual achievements but his captaincy _ he never lost a test series as Australian captain.
After retiring, Benaud became a commentary icon initially with the BBC in England and later in his native Australia. His measured and laconic commentary style was fodder for imitators and cricket fans across the world.
He was the mainstay in Australian cricket television commentary until the past two summers when the car accident forced him from his duties.
He announced in November that he was fighting skin cancer.
Benaud did, however, manage to voice a touching tribute to Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes, who died during a match last November, which was screened before Australia’s test series against India last December.
He was the first player to score 2,000 test runs and take 200 test wickets but was most highly regarded not for his individual achievements but his captaincy _ he never lost a test series as Australian captain.
Source:: Indian Express