Sir — Cricket’s most celebrated and influential voice has fallen silent with the demise of Richie Benaud. Benaud first distinguished himself as a cricketer, later as an aggressive captain and then as a commentator. He stole the limelight on the microphone by his insightful analysis and articulate assessment of the game and was largely seen as the voice of conscience.
Richie Benaud’s prominent moment in cricket broadcasting came during the 1981 under-arm bowling incident when Greg Chappell asked his brother Trevor to bowl under-arm during a one-day match. Richie Benaud called it “disgraceful”. A lighter moment for him came when Glenn McGrath was out after scoring just two runs in a match. Benaud quipped, “Glenn McGrath dismissed for two, just 98 short of his century!”