The cricket world is mourning the death of former Australia captain and pioneering television commentator Richie Benaud, described as a “national treasure” and praised by players and the sport’s administrators. Benaud, 84, died on Friday at a Sydney hospice, surrounded by his wife, Daphne, and other family members. He had been fighting skin cancer since late last year.
Fans paid respect by placing bouquets of flowers under a bronze statue of Benaud in front of the Sydney Cricket Ground, while planning began for a state funeral which was offered to his family. The tributes spread to lord’s in london, the home of cricket, where a tweet from the Marylebone ground included a photo of its flag flying at half-staff.
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 recognised commentators, in Australia where he anchored the Nine Network’s cricket coverage for decades, and in Britain. His time in the commentary box ended after a car crash in 2013 that left him with two fractured vertebrae.
“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. 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 played the game the right way.”
Another former Australian captain, Mark Taylor, said Benaud covered all the bases. “I think that’s what set him apart from a lot of people who came before him and probably after him, “Taylor said. “That he loved playing, he loved competing and he loved commentating and being involved in the game.”
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Benaud will be “very, very much missed.” “There would hardly be an Australian over the last 40 years who hasn’t listened to Richie Benaud,” Abbott said.
Cricket Australia chairman Wally Edwards said “our country has lost a national treasure.” “After Don Bradman, there has been no Australian player more famous or more influential than Richie Benaud,” Edwards said. “Richie stood at the top of the game throughout his rich life, first as a record-breaking leg-spinner and captain, and then as cricket’s most famous broadcaster who became the iconic voice of our summer.”