His voice was even more present than the chirping of the cicadas in our suburbs and towns and that voice, tragically, is now still., British prime minister David Cameron said: I grew up listening to Richie Benauds wonderful cricket commentary. [7], Up to this point, his first-class batting average was below 30 and his bowling average close to 40, and he had never taken more than four wickets in an innings or six in a match. "He was an integral part of the BBC team for decades and will be sorely missed by everyone who had the pleasure of working with him.". [103], The idea for what became his trademarkwearing a cream or white jacket during live commentarycame from Channel 9 owner Kerry Packer, who suggested the look to help Benaud stand out from the rest of the commentary team. Benaud was the first player to score 2,000 Test runs and take 200 Test wickets yet was as renowned for his captaincy. Listen to impressionist Rory Bremner paying tribute to Richie Benaud. Benaud went around the wicket and bowled into the footmarks, having Dexter caught behind and then Peter May bowled around his legs. Will always be remembered and admired. [64][65] In Adelaide, with Davidson absent, Benaud bowled long spells to take match figures of 7/207 in addition to a score of 77 in the first innings. Cricket icon Richie Benaud, who distinguished himself first as a leg-spinning all-rounder, then as a daring Australian Test captain and later as the . [88] His final two Tests saw no fairytale finish, yielding only four wickets and 55 runs. Within hours of his death, Tony Abbott, the Australian prime minister, offered Benauds family a state funeral. His last goodbye was interrupted by Glenn McGrath taking Kevin Pietersen's wicket; Benaud simply wove his description of the dismissal into what he was already saying. Cricket great Richie Benaud dies at 84 In October 2013, Benaud, then 83, was involved in a car crash and did not recover sufficiently to broadcast the Ashes series and in November 2014, he announced he was been treated for skin cancers. It was another lean series with the ball, Benaud's 17 wickets costing 40.47, the third consecutive series where his wickets cost more than 30. [104], He also helped to design a computer-based parody of himself available for download off Channel 4's website called "Desktop Richie". Benaud was the top wicket-taker on the tour, with 32 wickets at 19.31, and Australia's top wicket-taker in the three matches against New Zealand, with 15 wickets at 21.73. Richie Benaud dies: Eight rules of commentary - The Independent His father Louis, a third-generation Australian of French Huguenot descent,[4] was a leg spinner who played for Penrith District Cricket Club in Sydney Grade Cricket, gaining attention for taking all twenty wickets in a match against St. Marys for 65. Menu! [49] Benaud produced an all-round performance of 46, 5/91 and 4/82 in the Fourth Test in Adelaide to take an unassailable 30 series lead and regain the Ashes,[50] before scoring 64 and match figures of 5/57 to help take the Fifth Test and a 40 series result. In fact they have shunned it. On a green pitch, Benaud came in at 7/96 and featured in a century partnership in only an hour,[14] making 43 himself. Shane Warne, Australia's record wicket-taker, made a particularly, said Benaud's passing was "a sad day for Australia", adding: "We have lost a cricketing champion and Australian icon. It could have killed him if it had struck him where his skull was previously fractured. No comments have so far been submitted. Benaud hit a ball into the covers and the pair attempted a quick single when a direct hit from Joe Solomon saw Davidson run out. How remorseless Stephen Bear continued his arrogant antics up until or debate this issue live on our message boards. Slow recovery meant he was unable to commentate for Australia's Channel Nine during the 201314 Ashes series. [119] He died in his sleep on 10 April 2015. He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985. In October 2018, Benaud became the 40th Legend in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. Swanton. At the suggestion that it showed dignity, she said 'thank you.'. [29][36], When Ian Craig fell ill at the start of the 195859 season, Benaud was promoted to the captaincy ahead of vice-captain Neil Harvey. [120][121][122], Prime Minister Tony Abbott offered his family a state funeral; however, his widow, Daphne, declined, respecting his wishes for a private funeral. Time and again he and fellow bowler Alan Davidson took the opposition by storm, and the Australians, led by 22-year-old Ian Craig, finished the tour unbeaten. [4], Benaud was not a large spinner of the ball, but he was known for his ability to extract substantial bounce from the surface. John, who played in three Tests, was 13 years younger. [citation needed], Benaud then led Australia on its first full tour of the Indian subcontinent, playing three and five Tests against Pakistan and India respectively. "As a cricketer, commentator and as a person, you were the best there's ever been and, to top it off, an absolute gentleman. [62] He took 4/107 in a seven-wicket victory in Melbourne,[63] before the West Indies levelled the series with a 22-run win in Sydney. Plastic surgeon reveals five cosmetic procedures she would NEVER get - from dangerous Brazilian butt lifts BEL MOONEY:Why does caring for my dad take over my life? [24], Australia's selectors persisted and selected him for the squad to tour the West Indies in 195455. [30] His fielding, in particular at gully and short leg, was consistently of a high standard, in particular his acrobatic catch to dismiss Colin Cowdrey. [4] According to Neil Harvey, he also was the first captain who started hosting team meetings, a procedure now followed by his successors after he retired. [110], On 18 February 2009, during a radio interview, Benaud announced that he would be retiring from television commentary. One of Benauds last public contributions was a touching voiceover tribute to Phillip Hughes, who died when struck by a bouncer in November 2014. However, he did not have much success in his five games, taking only five wickets at 54.00. Benaud stated he would spend the Northern Hemisphere summer in Britain writing, and would continue working for the Nine Network in Australia. Benaud took 3/116 to complement scores of 43 and 90 on his return in the Third Test in Sydney. [4] Benaud had the tendency to bowl around the wicket at a time when he was one of the first players to do so; it had an influence on spin bowlers like Shane Warne and Ashley Giles. This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 20:19. Richard Benaud OBE (/bno/; 6 October 1930 10 April 2015) was an Australian cricketer who played for New South Wales and the Australia national cricket team. Benaud did not bowl Meckiff from the other end, and at the end of the match Meckiff announced his retirement. "[94], After the 1956 England tour, Benaud stayed behind in London to take a BBC presenter training course. Along with fellow bowling all-rounder Alan Davidson, he helped restore Australia to the top of world cricket in the late 1950s and early 1960s after a slump in the early 1950s. Richie Benaud's widow, ex-wife and son settle estate dispute [7] Benaud was the only bowler selected for all five Tests of the 195455 series when England visited Australia. Richie Benaud died on April 10, 2015, after being diagnosed with skin cancer. In 1960, he made his first radio commentary in the United Kingdom at the BBC, after which he moved into television. Daphne Benaud invited sons Greg and Jeffrey to the private service, which was attended by about 20 people, before a more public wake at the Australian Golf Club. He was 84. . [7], At this stage of his career, he had played 13 Tests with mediocre results. His instinctive, aggressive captaincy and daring approach to cricket and his charismatic nature and public relations ability revitalised cricket interest in Australia. 'But I wasn't invited Rich asked that I not attend. There were good times when he was home at the family house in Beecroft, in Sydney's north. That TV commentary style lent itself to much mimicry, and his pronouncements, carefully rationed, were widely regarded as gospel. His leg spin yielded ten wickets at 30.60, with a best of 4/118 in the Fourth Test in Adelaide when he was given a heavy workload, totalling 58 overs,[7] when Ray Lindwall and Keith Miller broke down during the match. UPDATE 1-Cricket-Reaction to the death of the 'Voice of Cricket' Benaud Even worse, many such slurs aren't from men but 'I couldn't do it without you': Victoria Beckham poses with her whole family after her PFW show - as she Brooklyn Beckham puts on a loved-up display with wife Nicola Peltz as they head back to hotel after Cruz Beckham supports his mother Victoria as he carrying his very own VB handbag on the way to her show Like father, like daughter! 'It's very different to what it is like now. [4], Johnnie Moyes said "Certainly Benaud received a little help from the roughened patches, but he could do what the off-spinners could not do: he could turn the ball, mostly slowly, sometimes with more life. Asked whether that was sad for her, Marcia said: 'I've accepted it'. Source: Cricinfo, 22 December 2007. While a heart attack was the cause of Warne's death while holidaying in Thailand, Healy revealed that he feared the spin king would succumb to another health issue. On March 29, 1967 Marcia divorced Richie Benaud on the grounds of desertion. [92], During Benaud's captaincy, Australia did not lose a series, and became the dominant team in world cricket. [87], Upon his return, Benaud advised the Australian Cricket Board that it would be in the better interests of the team if Simpson continued as captain for the remainder of the season. Benauds first marriage, to Marcia Lavender, with whom he had two sons, Greg and Jeffery, was dissolved; he later married Daphne Surfleet, who had been secretary to the cricket writer EW Swanton. But I will be doing all sorts of, what I regard as, interesting things for Channel Nine on the cricketspecial features on the cricket". Marcia Benaud, a gracious lady with a merry laugh and good sense of humour (pictured with son Greg, 60, at their Central Coast home) spoke with affection and sadness about her marriage to cricketing legend Richie, Greg Benaud (pictured), the elder son of cricketing legend Richie, was an off-break and then leg-spin bowler encouraged by his Dad. [9] This was the only match he played for the second-string state team that summer. They are Richie Benaud's secret first family, whose lives are far removed from the glittering sporting career the cricket legend led in the media spotlight before his death in April. During the interview, Ms Benaud revealed details her life with Richie before she was left 'devastated' when he left her to marry his second wife, Daphne. Marcia Benaud kept her surname 'for the sake of my sons. Richie Benaud (1930-2015) *84, Grave #86215750 - Sysoon [55] Benaud had less of an impact on the next two Tests, which Australia lost and drew, totaling 6/244. ", Sri Lanka wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkaraexternal-link added: "So sad to hear about the passing of Richie Benaud. Australia won the series 21, and although Benaud was below his best, scoring at 21.77 and taking 23 wickets at 33.87,[29][36] the series was a success for cricket. ', Marcia said she waited two years to get divorced, 'because of my sons.' South Africa. His major advisory work for Kerry Packer during crickets revolutionary upheaval in the late 1970s alienated him in some traditional quarters, one consequence being an outcry for Benaud to be removed from BBCs television commentary panel. Lived: 30867 days = 84 years. Afterwards, they flew to Adelaide where Richie took part in the fourth Test. [7], In his early career, Benaud was a batting all-rounder, marked by a looping backlift which made him suspect against fast bowling but allowed him to have a wide attacking stroke range. [79] This was followed by three unproductive Tests which yielded only 5/360 and a win apiece. 'When I heard that it was serious and Greg told me he had got [the cancer] in its bloodstream, I accepted that whatever God decided to do would be right,' she said. 'It was very, very difficult.'. Benaud embraced his players when opposition wickets fell, something that was uncommon at the time. Benaud's personal form was a major factor in this success. [124], Benaud was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1961 for services to cricket. ", Former England batsman Geoffrey Boycottexternal-link said: "Farewell Richie Benaud. Then came the 1953 tour, the first of three he was to make to England as a player. [10] He had more success with the bat, scoring 93 and narrowly missing a century against South Australia. Benaud led New South Wales throughout a dominant season, winning the Sheffield Shield with 64 of the 80 possible points. By that summers end, with the beaten but popular West Indies having had a tickertape motorcade send-off in Melbourne, Richie Benauds own popularity was sealed. He was attacked by the touring batsmen, taking 1/75 from 16.5 overs in his first outing against an international outfit. Prince Andrew has 'offered to manage prestigious Royal estates including Balmoral but King Charles has told PLATELL'S PEOPLE: Yes, Madonna toyboys are fun but not if you value your dignity. [109] Chris Barrie of Red Dwarf fame incorporated impressions of Benaud into his stand-up repertoire. How did Richie Benaud Die? Someone asked me, "Does that mean you'll never again go into the commentary box? 'He likes to keep his privacy.'. 'Our story is one of hope': Conjoined twins who made history as first EVER pair survive to separation As Charles Bronson faces a parole hearing on Monday Will Britain's most violent prisoner soon be painting Is this Britain's most despicable man? 'It was a 6pm wedding. or debate this issue live on our message boards. The pharmacist, Ivan James, suggested a treatment with calamine lotion and boracic acid. This memorial website was created in memory of Richie Benaud, 84, born on October 6, 1930 and passed away on April 10, 2015. In 1963 he became the first player to complete the Test double of 200 wickets and 2,000 runs. [8] He contributed significantly with both bat and ball in New South Wales' Sheffield Shield triumph, the first of nine consecutive titles. It was not the first time he had been hospitalised by a blow to the head. [4] The First Test at Edgbaston was drawn with Benaud taking three wickets. 'Dad had two families to look after and back in the day when Mum was awarded custody, it was the law brought down in the Supreme Court rather than the family court that we lived with Mum and saw Dad once a fortnight,' Greg said. Born October 6, 1930, Benaud was a legend by every definition on the book, but there . He ended the series with 200 runs at 25 and eight wickets at 42.5. He finished the innings with 6/70. He had been receiving treatment for skin cancer since November. His Australian cricket television commentary continued until it was brought to a halt by a car accident in 2013 and shortly afterwards he announced that he had skin cancer a legacy, he suspected, of his bareheaded days on the field. When, a few months later in England, Benaud took veteran Ray Lindwalls advice and bowled his leg-spin around the wicket into the rough, when all seemed lost in the Old Trafford Test, his wicket-taking that afternoon ensured that Australia retained the Ashes and raised the captain close to sainthood in the estimation of his team and his country. Richie Benaud became a household name for a whole new generation when he moved from the oval to the commentary box. I've got a black dress hanging inside,' Marcia said, laughing. [70][71] With the series balanced at 11, the Fourth Test at Old Trafford initially brought no improvement, with Benaud scoring 2 and taking 0/80 in the first innings. 'I thought when he retired we would be a family together again,' she said. It's been very much appreciated.'. [66] With Davidson back, Australia won the final Test by two wickets,[67] after a controversial incident in which Australian wicketkeeper Wally Grout was not given out hit wicket when a bail was dislodged and the umpires did not notice. [29], During the 1956 tour to England, he helped Australia to its only victory in the Lord's Test, when he scored a rapid 97 in the second innings in 143 minutes from only 113 balls. Richard "Richie" Benaud OBE ( / bno /; 6 October 1930 - 10 April 2015) was an Australian cricketer. In the previous seasons when he and his team were at their peak, he had scored 636 runs at 31.8 with taken 108 wickets at 20.27 in eighteen Tests, averaging six wickets a match. Former Australia cricket captain and renowned commentator Richie Benaud has died aged 84. In all he missed a third of the matches due to injury. He was shrewd not only from the weight of experience but in the cautious way he rationed opinions. Craig had fallen ill, and just when the senior player, Neil Harvey, was expected to succeed to the leadership, Benauds name was announced. SUBSCRIBE TO US Marcia Benaud described the times when Richie was overseas as lonely and trying. Benaud's 5/13 in 25 balls instigated an English collapse which saw Australia retain the Ashes. [111], It was announced on 15 November 2009, that Benaud had signed a three-year contract with the Nine Network to continue being part of their cricket coverage until 2013, although his role would change from that of ball-by-ball commentary. She rushed to St Vincent's Hospital where he was having his mouth stitched. [45] He had been a major contributor to the series win, scoring 329 runs at 54.83 and taking 30 wickets at 21.93, establishing himself as one of the leading leg spinners of the modern era. But some of them played below expectation, and Australias attack contained several bowlers whose actions were perceived as highly suspicious. Richie Benaud dies aged 84 - rolling reaction - the Guardian He loved winning. On a green pitch which was struck by a downpour on the opening day, Benaud's spin was not used by Arthur Morris, and he failed to make an impression with the bat in his only innings, scoring only two. Following the divorce hearing in the NSW Supreme Court, Richie Benaud was required to pay Marcia and her sons ten pounds per week. [6] In eight first-class matches after his Test campaign was over, Benaud added a further half-century in addition to the century against Pearce's XI, and took 22 more wickets, including 4/20 against the Gentlemen of England. In a one-off Test against Pakistan in Karachi, he scored 56 and took 1/36 as Australia fell to defeat. Along with the West Indian captain Frank Worrell, Benaud's bold leadership enlivened interest in Test cricket among a public who had increasingly regarded it as boring. After his retirement from international cricket in 1964, he became a well-known commentator on the game. ", "Well, the answer to that", Benaud replied, "If there is, as there always can be, some emergency or a sensational happening on or off the field where it would be quite ridiculous not to go into the commentary box, of course I'll be in there doing my job and doing it as professionally as I can. Wonderful cricketer, great captain, a master craftsman commentator and top man. Do not sell or share my personal information. The Cricket Player, Journalist Richie Benaud passed away at the age of 92. The voice of cricket | The Economist [33] After taking four wickets in the drawn Second Test in Bombay,[34], Benaud bowled Australia to victory in the Third Test in Calcutta, sealing the series 20. RIP Richie Benaud. [117], Benaud had last handed "Baggy green" caps to Simon Katich and Mitchell Starc when they made their test debut, but Benaud's own was lost early in his Test career, and former captainnow commentator and the Director of Cricket Australia, Mark Taylorwas to present the replacement cap to him at the semi-final of the 2015 Cricket World Cup between Australia and India at the SCG, but Benaud was too unwell to attend, and when the cap arrived at Channel 9 headquarters, it was the day before Benaud died. Selected as a batsman who could bowl, he had totalled 309 runs at 15.45 without passing 50, and taken 23 wickets at 37.87 with only two four-wicket innings hauls. He is survived by Daphne, by his sons, and by his brother, John. CNN Former Australia cricket captain and legendary broadcaster Richie Benaud has died at the age of 84. The tour included seven first-class matches, three of which were unofficial Tests. He defined an era with conviction and sincerity.". He was buried on April 15 in a private funeral ceremony attended only by immediate family members. Benaud, who was appointed OBE in 1961 for services to cricket, leaves a wife of 48 years, Daphne, and two children from his first marriage. Later that same day, there was a commemoration service officiated by former teammate turned lay preacher Brian Booth; attendees included his family and close friendsamong them former players, including Ian Chappell and Shane Warne, and Australian Test captain Michael Clarke. Richie Benaud, pictured during his touring days as Australian Test captain had an interest in cars, particularly Renaults and Sunbeams, and passed that interest down to his sons Greg and Jeff, Richie Benaud (pictured) married his second wife Daphne, an ardent cricket fan, in 1967 and together the couple forged a remarkable partnership during which the former Test captain became a legend behind the microphone. At one stage, New South Wales were six wickets down with less than 150 runs scored, but Benaud refused to attempt to defend for a draw. 581 Former Australia cricket captain and renowned commentator Richie Benaud has died aged 84. [113][123], Benaud was buried on 15 April, in a private funeral ceremony attended only by his immediate family. "[2] In his review of Benaud's autobiography Anything But, Sri Lankan cricket writer Harold de Andrado wrote: "Richie Benaud possibly next to Sir Don Bradman has been one of the greatest cricketing personalities as player, researcher, writer, critic, author, organiser, adviser and student of the game."[3]. [29][36][54] Benaud made a strong start to the series against India, taking 3/0 in the first innings of the First Test in Delhi, before a 5/76-second innings haul secured an innings victory. The cricketer turned broadcaster had been battling skin cancer and recovering from the after-effects of a car accident . 'But it suited [Richie] to keep it quiet, and so that's how it was kept.'. The selectors persisted in Benaud despite his unproductive Test performances, selecting him for the squad for the 1953 Ashes tour of England. [7] Hassett was known for his prowess against spin bowling, being the only batsman to score centuries in a match against the leg-spin of Bill O'Reilly, regarded as the finest bowler of his age. Richard Benaud OBE ( / bno /; 6 October 1930 - 10 April 2015) was an Australian cricketer who played for New South Wales and the Australia national cricket team.
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