[88] His final two Tests saw no fairytale finish, yielding only four wickets and 55 runs. [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. As a captain, he never lost a Test series. He became the first player to reach 200 wickets and 2,000 runs in Test cricket, arriving at that milestone in 1963. Inside Matt Hancock's 41-hour battle to save his career when photo of 'a snog and heavy petting' with aide Will Vladimir Putin's empress pay the ultimate price for his war on the West? Benaud had been battling skin cancer and recovering from the after effects of a car accident suffered . [20] Benaud struck an unbeaten 100 and totalled 1/64 in the next match against Western Australia before the Australians departed for England. Although both sons played cricket at the private boys school they attended, Barker College in Sydney's northern suburbs, neither went on to play representative cricket after school like their father and grandfather. [29], At the start of the 196364 season, Benaud announced that it would be his last at first-class level. Thus, the 2005 Ashes series was the last that Benaud commentated on in Britain. A veteran of 63 Test matches,. They brought back all the old memories, sad ones. [7] He was selected for an Australian XI match against England, in what was effectively a trial for Test selection, but suffered a chipped bone in his thumb. The matter will return to court on December 4. Rich couldn't make it and I'll always be grateful that Mr Menzies said, "well your wife might like to go".'. Although the shoulder injury had affected him, Benaud did produce a memorable piece of bowling in the New South Wales match against England, taking 7 for 18, his best figures in first-class cricket. [52] He took four wickets in a Second Test in Lahore that sealed the series 20,[53] the last time Australia would win a Test in Pakistan until Mark Taylor's men in 1998, 37 years later. 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. [60], Both men were noted for their hitting ability and viewed attack as their most effective chance of survival. It was presented to his wife. [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. [97], In 2004, Benaud starred in a series of television advertisements for the Australian Tourism Commission, aimed at promoting Australia as a tourist destination. He had been receiving treatment for skin cancer since November. When the time came for Richie Benaud's final departure, Greg and Jeff were given the opportunity to visit their father, and they informed Marcia who said she took the philosophical view 'that it might be God's will'. [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. [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. This was exhibited in the 196061 Test series against the visiting West Indians, in which the grounds were packed to greater levels than they are today despite Australia's population doubling since then. . Overall he played in or commentated on approximately 500 Test matches, as he himself noted in one of his final interviews in Britain when asked if he would miss Test cricket. 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 the accompaniment of an Australian summer. The voice of cricket | The Economist SUBSCRIBE TO US At this point, Australia had already taken an unassailable 31 series lead and decided to try out some young players. It was here that Richie Benaud grew up, learning how to bowl leg breaks, googlies and topspinners under his father's watch. Richie commentated regularly during the 201112 season and was part of Nine's commentating team/roster. Such guarded humour as he evinced bore the touch of a man who was keen to be seen above all else as discerning. [8], He also showed his hitting ability in a tour match against T.N. Richie Benaud Death Anniversary: Lesser-known Facts About the 'Voice of [76], In another match against Victoria, he ordered his team to attempt to score 404 on the final day to take an unlikely victory in accordance with a promise to score at 400 per day. He had been receiving treatment for skin cancer since November. Richie Benaud dies aged 84 - rolling reaction The former Australia cricket captain and commentator, who played 63 Test matches, has died at the age of 84 Updated 9 Apr 2015 9 Apr 2015 Flags. [6][46] Benaud had little prior leadership experience, and faced the task of recovering the Ashes from an England team which had arrived in Australia as favourites. Category:Richie Benaud - Wikimedia Commons 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. This was enough for him to gain selection for the start of the Tests. ", Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbottexternal-link said Benaud's passing was "a sad day for Australia", adding: "We have lost a cricketing champion and Australian icon. Richie Benaud dead | The Australian 65/-. Greg joked that before his father's death he had visited him and gained some style advice for the funeral. 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). R ichie Benaud, Australia's legendary cricket captain and commentator, died in Sydney on Friday, his family said. [7], For the next season, England toured Australia, and with the Test players back, Benaud was initially forced out of the team. Around 150,000 deaths are registered in Australia every year, but few receive the "end of an era" tribute accorded Richie Benaud. After attending Parramatta high school, Richie made his New South Wales debut on the final day of 1948. 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. His selection was frequently questioned in those early years, when much other flowering talent was evident in domestic cricket. [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. Richie Benaud had a thing for cars, starting off with a Morris Minor, graduating to Renaults when, as a lowly paid cricketer of the era, he took to advertising shaving cream, and the French cars with the jingle 'Renault for Benaud'. [99], He openly criticised the actions by the Chappell brothers (Trevor and Greg) in the post-match reaction to the underarm bowling incident of 1981, proving his moral integrity far outweighed his unconditional patriotism for Australia. [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. By Andrew McGarry. 'Daphne has been kind and fair over the years to me and has welcomed me, even when it was undeserved on my part,' Greg said. Death date: 10 April, 2015, Friday. Richie Benaud obituary: the 'voice of cricket' was the game's shrewdest [58] A further seven wickets from the captain in the Fifth Test saw Australia secure a draw and the series 21. 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 played international cricket from 1952 to 1964, and Australia never lost a series under his captaincy (28 games). 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. She kept me informed so that I knew when Dad was sick. At the suggestion that it showed dignity, she said 'thank you.'. After 28 X-rays showed nothing, it was finally diagnosed that the crater in his forehead had resulted in a skull fracture and he was sidelined for the remainder of the season,[6] since a second impact could have been fatal. Benaud built his reputation as a commentator following an outstanding playing career in which he took 945 wickets in 259 first-class matches and made 11,719 first-class runs, scoring 23 centuries at an average of 36.50. Like all fans of the sport, I will miss him very much.. Following the divorce hearing in the NSW Supreme Court, Richie Benaud was required to pay Marcia and her sons ten pounds per week. The parents who fear their 11-year-olds will be scarred for life by the graphic sex education lessons that Two Insulate Britain protesters are jailed for contempt of court after they defied a judge's orders not to 'Derek fights on, it makes me fall in love with him all over again:' Kate Garraway reveals there are days French authorities fear 'narco-tourists' could flock to Normandy beaches after 'more than two tonnes of Hopes for cervical cancer vaccine after trials in mice showed it reduced tumours 80 per cent of the time. 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". [51] Benaud contributed 132 runs at 26.4 and 31 wickets at the low average of 18.83,[29][36] as well as his shrewd and innovative captaincy. Richie Benaud: Australia cricket legend & commentator dies at 84 Benaud, a former Australian captain and cricketing commentator, was 84 when he died in April 2015 after battling skin cancer. How remorseless Stephen Bear continued his arrogant antics up until or debate this issue live on our message boards. He is survived by Daphne, by his sons, and by his brother, John. When live Test cricket disappeared from the BBC in 1999 he moved to Channel 4, and when terrestrial broadcasting ended in 2005 he refused to switch to pay TV. And despite the years since she saw the only man she ever married, Marcia Lorraine Lavender Benaud said she had watched the television tributes to her late former husband with mixed feelings. 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. 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. Within the year he had spun his way to a further 47 wickets in eight Tests in Pakistan and India, and all was set for what was perceived as a world championship contest against the visiting West Indies team. ", added: "So sad to hear about the passing of Richie Benaud. 'He likes to keep his privacy.'. He secured his place after scoring 125 against Queensland at the start of the season,[23] although his lead-up form in two matches against England for his state and an Australian XI was not encouraging. [15] Hassett allowed him to bowl only in the second innings, when nine West Indian wickets had fallen and Australia were on the verge of an inevitable victory. He spent two weeks in hospital for the surgery. His final commentary in England came during the 2005 Ashes series, but he continued to work for Channel Nine in Australia until 2013. [4], On his third and final tour to England in 1961, he was hampered by damaged tendons in his right shoulder, which forced him to miss the Second Test at Lord's known as the "Battle of the Ridge". 'It was a 6pm wedding. Cricket Australia chairman Wally Edwards said Benaud was "the iconic voice of our summer", while the Australian government has offered to hold a state funeral. The selectors long-term planning had reached fulfilment. There would be very few Australians who have not passed a summer in the company of Richie Benaud. There would be very few Australians who have not passed a summer in the company of Richie Benaud. Midway through the season, he played in Morris's XI in a testimonial match for Hassett, who captained the other team. In an early tour match Benaud took his best first class innings haul of 1810187 for New South Wales against the MCC, which lost by an innings and 80 runs, the state's biggest win against the English team. Soon after television came to Australia he appeared in a commercial, tending his garden with a Victa lawnmower. Richie Benaud's influence on cricket on and off the field is being lauded by players and fans alike, . [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: Former cricketer and broadcaster dubbed 'The voice of cricket' dies, aged 84. [124], Benaud was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1961 for services to cricket. There were good times when he was home at the family house in Beecroft, in Sydney's north. 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. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. [8] Selected as a batsman, he scored 3 and 19. However, cricketers like Shane Warne, Ian Chappell, Michael Clarke among several others visited his commemoration service on the same day. "As a cricketer, commentator and as a person, you were the best there's ever been and, to top it off, an absolute gentleman. [118], In November 2014, at age 84, Benaud announced that he had been diagnosed with skin cancer. Biography - A Short Wiki [4] He was appointed an OBE in that year and in 1962 was named as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year. Swanton. 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. He was 84 years old. [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. In his later career, he added the flipper, a combination of the googly and top spinner which was passed to him by Bruce Dooland. [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. Benaud also used to live in Coraki, NSW. Final respects: Greg Benaud (pictured) dressed for his father's funeral in April, for which Greg said Richie had given him some advice before he died to 'get a haircut, but don't take too much off'. Benaud scored 78 and 68 and took a total of 5/238, his dismissals being Davidson and frontline Test batsmen in a 121-run win. Marcia Benaud spoke of her past with Richie with laughter and tears, but said although she believed he should have never left their marriage she has made a life of contentment, politely responding that she was 'the first wife' if people asked about her name, Richie Benaud, pictured shaking the hand of Queen Elizabeth II, before the start of play during his Test cricket years, which his first wife Marcia said led to some delightful occasions, including her invitation to dine with the Queen on the Britannia when in Sydney. [7] Benaud was the only bowler selected for all five Tests of the 195455 series when England visited Australia. Marcia Benaud told Daily Mail Australia about her mixed emotions in the days after Richie Benaud's death on April 10 this year. 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. [44] He took 5/82 in the second innings of the Fifth Test, the fourth consecutive match in which he had taken five wickets in an innings, as Australia took a 30 series win. A pioneering leg-spin bowler, Benaud played in 63 Tests, 28 as captain, before retiring in 1964 to pursue a career in journalism and broadcasting. Her son Greg told Daily Mail Australia that the pretty young brunette was 'one of Sydney's top three beauties', but Marcia passes that off, laughing, as 'nonsense'. Voice of Cricket Richie Benaud Dies at 84 - NDTV.com Marcia Benaud and Greg Benaud have launched legal action in the NSW Supreme Court challenging Richie Benaud's second wife Daphne for a slice of his multi-million-dollar estate. Craig had fallen ill, and just when the senior player, Neil Harvey, was expected to succeed to the leadership, Benauds name was announced. 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. But some of them played below expectation, and Australias attack contained several bowlers whose actions were perceived as highly suspicious. He played the game the right way., Our country has lost a national treasure, Cricket Australia chairman Wally Edwards said in a statement. What an innings. He scored 97 in Australia's only innings and then took 7/46 in the hosts' first innings as the Australians took an innings win. A strong England party, led by Peter May, were widely expected to retain the Ashes. [4], Benaud was not a large spinner of the ball, but he was known for his ability to extract substantial bounce from the surface. 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. 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. Richie Benaud remembered in private ceremony for friends and family, 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. In 1952-53 Benaud played against South Africa, recording a duck and having his front teeth smashed while fielding at gully in the Sydney Test, which coincided with his honeymoon. 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. Link to video: Richie Benaud became a household name for a whole new generation when he moved from the oval to the commentary box. [92], During Benaud's captaincy, Australia did not lose a series, and became the dominant team in world cricket. ', Marcia said she waited two years to get divorced, 'because of my sons.' He finished the first-class tour with 627 runs and 61 wickets at 23.54. Benaud had a heavy load in the match, taking 8/199 after Davidson tore a hamstring mid-match. [7], On arrival in the British Isles, Benaud quickly made an impression with both bat and ball. Richie Benaud dies: Eight rules of commentary - The Independent Richie Benaud Dead: Legendary Cricket Commentator Dies At 84 But that extraordinary five-match encounter produced electrifying batsmanship, and bowling that was less concerned with shutting the game down than keeping it moving. While a move to preserve Benauds childhood home failed, he was honoured with a lifesize statue at the Sydney Cricket Ground, his spiritual home his actual homes having been in Sydneys Pacific-side suburb of Coogee, on the French Riviera and in London. Benaud, Richard (Richie) (1930-2015) by Kersi Meher-Homji. Slow recovery meant he was unable to commentate for Australia's Channel Nine during the 201314 Ashes series. [7], Despite this, Benaud was chosen for his Test debut in the Fifth Test against the West Indies in 195152 in Sydney. Then, within the year, Richie Benaud became captain of his country. In the next four matches, Benaud passed 15 only once, scoring a 34, and took only seven wickets. It could have killed him if it had struck him where his skull was previously fractured. [7][14] Benaud ended his season with 97 and a total of 3/39 in an innings win over South Australia.[7]. He defined an era with conviction and sincerity.". [4] Benaud took 5/72 and scored 43 in the First Test,[86] but then injured himself in a grade match, so Bob Simpson captained the team for the Second Test and won the match in Benaud's absence. He showed the prowess of his captaincy during a 1960-61 Test series against West Indies, that had seemed to have bagged the first Test as Australia struggled at 92/6 when chasing a target of 233. Richie Benaud - Bio, Personal Life, Family & Cause Of Death - CelebsAges However, he did not have much success in his five games, taking only five wickets at 54.00. [31], The 196162 Australian season was purely a domestic one, with no touring international team. I made chicken soup and we had roast chicken and salad. 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 . Greg said that instead of cricket he chose to study architecture after leaving school in 1972, but never finished his degree 'for various reasons I can't talk about' said he had 'worked at various things, any job'. '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. The unprecedented public interest saw the Caribbean touring party farewelled with a ticker-tape parade by the Australian public. 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. Benaud was the first player to score 2,000 Test runs and take 200 Test wickets yet was as renowned for his captaincy. [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. 1930 - 2015. Kissing the bride was [tricky],' Marcia told Daily Mail Australia. He helped the Australian team have the attitude where they wanted to win. 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. Talking about her marriage to the onetime Australian cricket captain, Ms Benaud's eyes filled with tears and she said: 'He shouldn't have left'. [100] He vacated the commentary booth when New Zealand was about to clinch a test victory at Lord's in 1999, allowing former New Zealand captain-turned-commentator Ian Smith to call the famous victory of his compatriots. Benaud enjoyed a long association with the BBC following his first radio appearance for the corporation in 1960. He married after the match and had to mumble his wedding vows through a swathe of bandages. [10] He had more success with the bat, scoring 93 and narrowly missing a century against South Australia. He justified their decision prior to the team's departure, scoring 167 not out and taking match figures of 7/137 for the touring team against a Tasmania Combined XI, his wickets including Test batsmen Miller, Ian Craig and Neil Harvey. Their faith was rewarded by an improvement in performances. Shane Warne death: Ian Healy not surprised by spin legend's passing in [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. whose family has been offered a state funeral after his death at the age of 84. Having helped Australia win the 1955 series in the West Indies (Benauds century in Jamaica, one of five in an innings of 758 for 8 still Australias highest total in Tests came in a mere 78 minutes), after four years and 27 Test matches it was felt at last that he truly belonged in the side. [31] Benaud and Daphne often stayed at their holiday home in Beaulieu-sur-Mer on the French Riviera. Source: Cricinfo, 22 December 2007. Do not sell or share my personal information. Benaud was the first man to achieve 2,000 runs and 200 wickets at Test level. [citation needed], The First Test in Brisbane ended in the first tie in Test history, which came about after Benaud and Alan Davidson, rather than settle for a draw, decided to risk defeat and play an attacking partnership, which took Australia to the brink of victory. National Archives of Australia, A1200, L33209. [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. Last updated on 10 April 201510 April 2015.From the section Cricket. Benaud did not bowl Meckiff from the other end, and at the end of the match Meckiff announced his retirement. Cricket, commentary and the dollar: Benaud's legacy is complex Benaud removed Meckiff from the attack and did not recall him. Benaud was recalled to the New South Wales First XI in late December for the Christmas and New Year's fixtures. 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. With his mellifluous, light delivery, enthusiastically imitated by comedians and cricket fans alike, Benaud also became the lead commentator on Australian television's Channel Nine from 1977. He still managed to say I do quite firmly. Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Ken Bruce finishes his 30-year tenure as host of BBC Radio 2, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Hershey's Canada releases HER for SHE bars featuring a trans activist, Insane moment river of rocks falls onto Malibu Canyon in CA, Fleet-footed cop chases an offender riding a scooter, Family of a 10-month-old baby filmed vaping open up. He was also a highly regarded tactician and never lost a Test series as Australia captain, winning five and drawing two. [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. Discover the real story, facts, and details of Richie Benaud. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, The great voice of cricket is no more. Explore Richie Benaud's biography, personal life, family and cause of death. Richie Benaud: 'Voice of cricket' dies at 84 | CNN The young leg spinner claimed Hassett in the second innings when a ball landed in a crack and skidded through onto his foot. Up to this point, in seven matches for the season, the young all-rounder had only scored 307 runs at 27.90 and taken ten wickets at 64.80. This memorial website was created in memory of Richie Benaud, 84, born on October 6, 1930 and passed away on April 10, 2015. However, cricketers like Shane Warne, Ian Chappell, Michael Clarke among several others visited his commemoration service on the same day. Cricket-Reaction to the death of the 'Voice of Cricket' Benaud - Yahoo! Benaud was another contender with 219 wickets, but it was Statham who broke the record (only to be overtaken by Trueman in New Zealand) and Benaud had to be content with breaking Ray Lindwall's Australian record of 228 Test wickets. [7], In the next Shield match against Victoria, led by Australian captain Lindsay Hassett, Benaud came in for attack.