Richie Benaud dies: Eight rules of commentary - The Independent In fact they have shunned it. [7] As a specialist batsman, he made his first-class debut for New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground against Queensland in the New Year's match of the 194849 season. Richie Benaud's widow, ex-wife and son settle estate dispute Shane Warne, Australia's record wicket-taker, made a particularly heartfelt contribution.external-link, "Dear Richie, you were a legend on all levels and rightly so too," said Warne. Four years previously he had been hit in the face while batting for New South Wales 2nd XI in Melbourne. Here is all you want to know, and more! 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. Benaud led New South Wales throughout a dominant season, winning the Sheffield Shield with 64 of the 80 possible points. 581 Former Australia cricket captain and renowned commentator Richie Benaud has died aged 84. He was buried on April 15 in a private funeral ceremony attended only by immediate family members. [110], On 18 February 2009, during a radio interview, Benaud announced that he would be retiring from television commentary. He keeps him pinned down, probing and probing until the victim is well and truly enmeshed. Richie Benaud. Slow recovery meant he was unable to commentate for Australia's Channel Nine during the 201314 Ashes series. Richie Benaud, Australian Cricket Legend, Dies at Age 84 There will never be another Richie Benaud. [106], Benaud became a staunch advocate of cricket being available on free-to-view TV. According to Eryk Bagshaw of The Sydney Morning Herald, Benaud had been in hospice care while. [74] Benaud was the leading wicket-taker of the season with 47 at 17.97. Marcia said that from time to time when people inquired about her name, she would quietly respond that yes, she was the first Mrs Richie Benaud. Following his retirement from international cricket in 1964, Benaud became a highly regarded commentator on the game. Marcia Benaud said she had not seen her former husband Richie (pictured in the West Indies in 1991) for 39 years 'except on TV', 'I enjoyed cricket, even though Richie said I didn't like it. Asked whether that was sad for her, Marcia said: 'I've accepted it'. Some famous Benaud phrases and one-liners: "It's gone straight into the confectionary stall and out again"", "And Glenn McGrath dismissed for two, just ninety-eight runs short of his century", Cricket Australia chairman Wally Edwards said Benaud was "the iconic voice of our summer", while the Australian government has. Richie Benaud's Death - Cause and Date - The Celebrity Deaths Richie Benaud dies aged 84 - rolling reaction - the Guardian He was recalled for a match against the Englishmen. Richard "Richie" Benaud OBE ( / bno /; 6 October 1930 - 10 April 2015) was an Australian cricketer. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, Richie Benaud Dead: Legendary Cricket Commentator Dies At 84 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 known for his unbuttoned shirt, and raised eyebrows with his on-field exuberance. Rich couldn't make it and I'll always be grateful that Mr Menzies said, "well your wife might like to go".'. Benaud took 4/69 and 4/42 in the First Test in Dacca (now in Bangladesh), sealing Australia's first win in Pakistan. 'Dad thought it was important not to cut us off from our grandparents,' Greg said, 'and so we kept in contact with Nan and Pa Benaud and Nanna and Grandpop Lavender and continued to visit them when Dad was overseas. [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. [7], He took the wicket of Queensland batsman Bill Brown in his third match of the season. Marcia Benaud described the times when Richie was overseas as lonely and trying. His final commentary came near the end of the final day of the Fifth Test at the Oval. [56][57] He returned to form with 5/43 and 3/43 as India were defeated by an innings after being forced to follow on in the Fourth Test in Madras. It worked at once, and Benaud used it thereafter. [32] He claimed his Test innings best of 7/72 in the first innings of the First Test in Madras, allowing Australia to build a large lead and win by an innings. [8] He contributed significantly with both bat and ball in New South Wales' Sheffield Shield triumph, the first of nine consecutive titles. It was presented to his wife. Oscar Cainer tells all. Richie Benaud - Bio, Personal Life, Family & Cause Of Death - CelebsAges On Channel 4's live commentary, Benaud often made sarcastic comments regarding the advertisement of Desktop Richie. He had managed, in the 14 Tests since then, 559 runs at 27.95 and 67 wickets at 24.98. He made 124 runs at 20.66, making double figures in four of seven innings, but was unable to capitalise on his starts, with a top score of 45. His first series as skipper was remarkable for a number of reasons. [16] He suffered a smashed gum and a severely cut top lip when a square cut by John Waite in the Third Test against South Africa at the Sydney Cricket Ground hit him in the face while he was fielding at short gully. The Caribbeans were skittled for 134 in reply and went on to lose the match, although they attacked the young leg-spinner, who took 1/130 in total from 36 overs. Five days before their wedding and listening to the match on the radio, Marcia heard that her fianc had been struck in the lip while fielding. [88] His final two Tests saw no fairytale finish, yielding only four wickets and 55 runs. Richie Benaud obituary | Richie Benaud | The Guardian 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 . Three years later, against the West Indies at Sydney, he first played for Australia. But that extraordinary five-match encounter produced electrifying batsmanship, and bowling that was less concerned with shutting the game down than keeping it moving. [7] Benaud was the only bowler selected for all five Tests of the 195455 series when England visited Australia. Richie Benaud's influence on cricket on and off the field is being lauded by players and fans alike, . 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. [58] A further seven wickets from the captain in the Fifth Test saw Australia secure a draw and the series 21. His control was admirable, and when Benaud gets a batsman in trouble he rarely if ever gives him a loose one. He finished the first-class tour with 627 runs and 61 wickets at 23.54. Benaud said: "I won't be doing live commentary any more." He married after the match and had to mumble his wedding vows through a swathe of bandages. [126], In 2007, he was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame at the Allan Border Medal award evening and in 2009 he was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. [6] Benaud's bold leadership coupled with his charismatic nature and public relations ability enlivened interest in Test cricket among a public who had increasingly regarded it as boring. Richie Benaud dies - aged 84: sport pays tribute - The Telegraph The unprecedented public interest saw the Caribbean touring party farewelled with a ticker-tape parade by the Australian public. He is survived by Daphne, by his sons, and by his brother, John. Richie Benaud - ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) He came from a cricket family, with his younger brother John Benaud also going on to become an Australian Test cricketer. '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. ", "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. He said of her, "She improved my love of vegetables by introducing the phrase, 'You can't go out and play cricket until you have eaten all your vegetables. He was 84. [8], He also showed his hitting ability in a tour match against T.N. He loved winning. Richie Benaud, 1959. Greg Benaud had just turned twelve and his brother Jeffrey was nine. Although Benaud preferred to avoid controversy, he waded in when covering Australias tour of the West Indies in 1965, taking eye-opening photographs of the fast bowler Charlie Griffith and writing of his concerns over the legality of the Barbadians action. [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. Cricket-Reaction to the death of the 'Voice of Cricket' Benaud - Yahoo! [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. [84][85] The draw meant that the series was shared 11, the first time he had drawn a series after five successive wins. The world of sport reacts to the news that former Australia captain and broadcaster Richie Benaud died overnight at the age of 84. ", Sri Lanka wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkaraexternal-link added: "So sad to hear about the passing of Richie Benaud. [12] Hassett struck 179 in four hours, and took 47 runs from Benaud's seven overs. Shane Warne death: Ian Healy not surprised by spin legend's passing in Sprawling home where JonBenet Ramsey was found murdered in 1996 is listed for sale for $7 MILLION by current Royal Mail increase price of first class stamp by 15p to 1.10 in record-breaking hike. After Don Bradman, there has been no Australian player more famous or more influential than Richie Benaud.. Thus, the 2005 Ashes series was the last that Benaud commentated on in Britain. [59], Benaud had contributed 91 runs at 15.16 and 29 wickets at 19.59. 'I thought when he retired we would be a family together again,' she said. It is only a shame he did not get the send-off he deserved - the game of cricket has not had a chance to say goodbye, BBC commentator Jonathan Agnew told the broadcaster. Five days later, he fronted Wesley Methodist Church in Strathfield, Sydney, still bearing the stitched wound. 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. Benaud retired from international cricket in 1964 and turned to full-time cricket journalism and commentary, for which he already had runs on the board with the BBC. Despite this impairment to his bowling shoulder, his team played with an aggressive strategy leading them to lose only one Test match and no other matches during the tour, honouring his pre-series pledge. There would be very few Australians who have not passed a summer in the company of Richie Benaud. 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. But he chose to study architecture over cricket, although not finishing his degree, Marcia Benaud (pictured in the garden of her Central Coast home) said following the end of her marriage to Richie Benaud, the cricketing great preferred to keep his past quiet and contact with their famous Dad became less frequent as they got older, Richie and Marcia Benaud pictured with their two sons, Jeffrey (left) and Greg (centre) in the early 1960s during the early days of his Test career at a time when cricketers earned little reward and Benaud had do advertisements to pay for keeping a family. Benaud, whose witty one-liners from the commentary box resonated far beyond. Benaud also used to live in Coraki, NSW. [4] The first of these came in the First Test at Johannesburg, where after conceding 1/115, Benaud struck 122, his highest Test score, to see Australia reach a draw. [29], Benaud's bowling reached a new level on the return leg of Australia's overseas tour, when they stopped in the Indian subcontinent in 195657 en route back to Australia. 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. [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. 'There was the odd phone call from England,' she told Daily Mail Australia. He made 1 in the second before a last-wicket partnership between Davidson and Graham McKenzie of 98 yielded a defendable target. Richie Benaud died on April 10, 2015, after being diagnosed with skin cancer. [25] After a draw in the Second Test,[26] he took three wickets in four balls to end with 4/15 in the first innings at Georgetown, Guyana, before scoring 68 (his first Test half century) as Australia moved to a 20 series lead. In his later career, he added the flipper, a combination of the googly and top spinner which was passed to him by Bruce Dooland. Elder son: Greg Benaud, 60, (pictured) at the public housing cottage he shares with his mother Marcia, who married Richie Benaud in 1953 and had two sons who would only see their famous father occasionally after their parents divorced, Glamorous: Marcia Benaud, in January 1953, following her marriage to Richie, after which the newlyweds went to the Adelaide Oval where the new Mrs Benaud is pictured, above, watching her husband play a Test against South Africa, Sons of the father: Richie Benaud pictured at the beach with his two sons, Jeffrey (left) and Greg (right) in the happier days of his marriage to first wife Marcia, when he was playing Test cricket for Australia, Young beauty: Marcia Lavender was a shorthand typist when she met cricketer Richie Benaud at a Sydney city accounting firm in the early 1950s and he went on to begin his Test career. [8], Relegated to the Second XI after this match, he was struck in the head above the right eye by a ball from Jack Daniel while batting against Victoria in Melbourne, having missed an attempted hook. He ended the Test series with 15 runs at 3.00 and two wickets at 87.00. [105] It was also emulated by New Zealand broadcaster John Campbell. He still managed to say I do quite firmly. However, cricketers like Shane Warne, Ian Chappell, Michael Clarke among several others visited his commemoration service on the same day. He made another century in the return match, striking 144 not out and taking a total of 2/55. [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. Cricket, commentary and the dollar: Benaud's legacy is complex 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. [35] He took 6/52 and 5/53, his best-ever match analysis, ending the series with 113 runs at 18.83 and 24 wickets at 17.66. Then, within the year, Richie Benaud became captain of his country. Marcia remembers making the salads for the West Indies team, with Richie cooking on the barbecue he had made himself from Besser blocks, and legends including Everton Weekes, Garfield Sobers, Wes Hall and Frank Worrell standing around in the back yard. Richie Benaud's 90th birth anniversary celebrated in new Cricket The decisive victory came in the fourth Test, at Old Trafford, when Benauds 6 for 70 and an unlikely Australian 54-run victory shamed England, who fell from 150 for one to 201 all out. 'I remember a time when he called from the cricket and said Sir Donald Bradman was coming over for dinner and I thought Sir Donald Bradman! Listen to impressionist Rory Bremner paying tribute to Richie Benaud. Harsha Bhogle remembers Richie Benaud on 5th death anniversary with sad After retiring, Benaud became a commentary icon, with the BBC and later for Channel 4 in the UK and also in his native Australia. In the next four matches, Benaud passed 15 only once, scoring a 34, and took only seven wickets. 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. When South Africa followed on, Benaud took 5/84, which left Australia needing only one run to win. Benaud played international cricket from 1952 to 1964, and Australia never lost a series under his captaincy (28 games). John, who played in three Tests, was 13 years younger. However, he did not have much success in his five games, taking only five wickets at 54.00. We'd have baked dinners on a Sunday at their houses.'. Witch, Harridan, Harpy, and new insults like Karen and Terf. [75] His aggressive tactical style brought large crowds throughout the season, with almost 18,000 watching one match against South Australia. [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. I was devastated when he left.'. The best of his career hung principally on the exhilharating Test series of 1960-61, when he captained Australia against the visiting West Indies side led by Frank Worrell. [97], After retiring from playing in 1964, Benaud turned to full-time cricket journalism and commentary, dividing his time between Britain (where he worked for the BBC for many years before joining Channel 4 in 1999), and Australia (for the Nine Network). [72], During England's chase on the final afternoon it became apparent that, with Ted Dexter scoring quickly, Australia would lose the Test unless England were bowled out. [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. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group, Mom who lost both sons to fentanyl blasts laughing Biden, Two Russian tanks annihilated with bombs by Ukrainian armed forces, Isabel Oakeshott receives 'menacing' message from Matt Hancock, Pavement where disabled woman gestured at cyclist before fatal crash, Pro-Ukrainian drone lands on Russian spy planes exposing location, 'Buster is next!' [37] At this stage of his career, he had yet to perform consistently with bat and ball simultaneously, apart from his breakthrough series in the Caribbean. Legendary Australian cricket commentator Richie Benaud has died. [107], Benaud commentated for the BBC TV highlights of the 200607 Ashes in Australia as part of his continuing commentary work for Australia's Nine Network. A petite and gracious lady with a merry laugh and a gentle demeanour, Marcia Benaud has lived a 'contented' life a world apart from the public life Richie Benaud led with second wife Daphne. 'I watched all the broadcasts. [7] He was recalled immediately for the Fourth Test, but was dropped for the Fifth after managing seven runs in his only innings and going wicketless. "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.". He chose to end his British commentary career, which spanned more than 42 years, when the rights to broadcast live Test match cricket were lost by Channel 4 to the subscription broadcaster British Sky Broadcasting. It was not the first time he had been hospitalised by a blow to the head. [6] At the start of the 194950 season, he was still in the Second XI, but when the Test players departed for a tour of South Africa soon afterwards,[7] vacancies opened up. Benaud had a heavy load in the match, taking 8/199 after Davidson tore a hamstring mid-match. Australian cricketer who led his country in 28 Test matches and later became one of the worlds most respected commentators. Richie (Richard) Benaud, cricketer, journalist and broadcaster, born 6 October 1930; died 10 April 2015, When Richie Benaud made a teenage cricket fans day | Letters, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Richie Benaud, at the Montcalm Hotel, London in 2005, Richie Benaud remembered in private ceremony for friends and family, Richie Benaud, former Australia cricket captain, dies at 84, Richie Benaud dies aged 84 rolling reaction, Richie Benaud: archive match reports of his playing career, Richie Benaud: a personal reflection on a colossus of cricket, Cricket legend Richie Benaud his life in pictures, Richard Cooke pays tribute to crickets permanent witness, Rolling blog: how the world reacted to Benauds death, Gallery: Richie Benaud his life in pictures, From the archive The Joy of Six: Richie Benaud. Will always be remembered and admired. [89][90] His batting had been steady though with 231 runs at 33,[29] but his bowling was less so, taking 12 wickets at 37.42. Following his retirement from international cricket in 1964, Benaud became a highly regarded commentator on the game. At the time, Ms Benaud said she was upset she hadn't been invited to her former husband's funeral. We will remember him forever. Renowned cricket broadcaster Richie Benaud passed away on Friday in Sydney. Link to video: Richie Benaud became a household name for a whole new generation when he moved from the oval to the commentary box. 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 worlds most recognised commentators. 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. After the 1956 Ashes tour in England, he completed a BBC training course while still a player, marking the beginning of a 40-year association with the corporation. Category:Richie Benaud - Wikimedia Commons Newspaper reports said he drank champagne 'through a straw'. Benaud was cementing his position and was in the senior team for four consecutive matches even with the Test players available. ", said: "Farewell Richie Benaud. Richie Benaud's Death - Cause and Date Born (Birthday) Oct 6, 1930 Death Date April 10, 2015 Age of Death 84 years Cause of Death Skin Cancer Profession Cricket Player The cricket player Richie Benaud died at the age of 84. Lived: 30867 days = 84 years. England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke said cricket had "lost perhaps its greatest advocate and someone who was a true giant of the modern game". It's been very much appreciated.'. 'He likes to keep his privacy.'. Richie Benaud Death Anniversary: Lesser-known Facts About the 'Voice of Coupled with his subtle variations in flight and angle of the delivery, he kept the batsman under constant pressure. 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. It could have killed him if it had struck him where his skull was previously fractured. He was buried on April 15 in a private funeral ceremony attended only by immediate family members. Three of the Tests were drawn, Australias Bill Lawry, Bob Simpson and Ken Mackay scoring at a snails pace (matched by Geoff Pullar, Ken Barrington and Cowdrey for England). Benaud's ad featured him in various scenic locations uttering his signature comment, "Marvellous!". Marcia Benaud kept her surname 'for the sake of my sons. 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. [29][36], It was the first of his successes against India, against whom he took his wickets at an average of 18. 1930 - 2015. Richie Benaud would have a fleet of cars, in particular Sunbeam Alpines, the last of which he would crash in October 2013, a hospital stay for serious injuries which would lead doctors diagnosing Benaud with skin cancer. [61], The Test was tied when Solomon ran out Ian Meckiff with a direct hit. But that'll be no more television commentary". He became the first player to reach 200 wickets and 2,000 runs in Test cricket, arriving at that milestone in 1963. Marcia gave birth to their first son Greg in 1955, and Jeffery in 1958. Benaud enjoyed a long association with the BBC following his first radio appearance for the corporation in 1960. He had been receiving treatment for skin cancer since November. In 1958 he became Australia's Test captain until his retirement in 1964. With Ray Lindwall, Keith Miller and Ernie Toshack, three of Australia's leading four bowlers from the 1948 Invincibles tour of England unavailable, Benaud bowled heavily in some matches. His performances in South Africa in 1957-58 reinforced that belief. [28] Benaud had contributed 246 runs at 41 and taken wickets steadily to total 18 at 26.94. [7] In the opening match of the season, he struck 158 and took 5/88 and 1/65 against Queensland. Richie Benaud was an all-time great all-rounder cricketer, a crafty leg-spinner who captured 248 wickets in 63 Tests, an attacking lower-order batsman who hit one of the fastest Test centuries, a brilliant gully . Aussie TV stands up for England", "12th Man Billy Birmingham on Richie Benaud", "Richie Benaud retires from all television commentary", "Richie Benaud signs new three-year deal with Channel Nine", "Richie Benaud dies: Prime Minister Tony Abbott offers a state funeral for cricket great", "Bon Voyage, 'Sir Richie': a teacher, a gentleman", "Voice of cricket happy to strengthen his French connection", "Richie Benaud A Marvellous Life 19302015 Full Episode", "Richie Benaud: time to say goodbye to cricket's permanent witness", "Richie Benaud: World pays tribute to cricket legend & commentator", "Richie Benaud family declines Australia state funeral", "Richie Benaud: Private funeral for cricket legend", "Richie Benaud obituary: the 'voice of cricket' was the game's shrewdest analyst", "Benaud, Gooch, Compton, Larwood and Woolley inducted into Cricket Hall of Fame", "Marvellous Richie Benaud becomes the 40th Legend of Australian sport", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Richie_Benaud&oldid=1141586246. This included figures of 2/70 and 4/90 against the touring [36] His batting was reliable, with 227 runs at 32.47. Benaud was a Test cricket all-rounder, blending leg spin bowling with lower-order batting aggression. [124], Benaud was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1961 for services to cricket. 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. Marcia had thought Richie's hanging up of the bat would bring him home. The lawsuit against Richie Benauds estate involves complex trusts and superannuation funds both in Australia and overseas, the NSW Supreme court was told on Friday. Pearce's XI at Scarborough.