Richie Benaud: Australian cricket legend dies aged 84

Ashes-winning Australia captain Benaud made himself synonymous with cricket for half a century as the broadcast anchor man for Test series the world over. It was on the field that Benaud first made his name, however, leading his country as they regained the Ashes in 1958/59 and in charge too for two successful defences of the urn. In his 63 Tests, Benaud also took a then Australia-record 248 wickets and scored more than 2,000 runs – including three centuries – in the middle order.

As a leg-spinner, it is unsurprising to relate he was a relative late developer who flourished in Test cricket only after a long apprenticeship. He was an innovator too, though, and a readiness to adapt gave him a reputation as an instinctive but ordered thinker who – as captain and bowler – was simply ahead of the game.

The Ashes

That was never more evident than at Old Trafford in 1961, when Benaud’s Ashes tourists needed to defend 256 to take a series lead. By then, his attacking instincts and flair with the bat had already been central to cricket’s first tied Test – against West Indies at Brisbane. Only months later, at the ground where Jim Laker had almost single-handedly destroyed Australia’s batting twice over just five years beforehand with the most astounding of all cricket feats, Australia needed not 19 wickets but a mere 10.

Benaud’s response, dispensing with all established convention and defying shoulder pain which had limited him all summer, was to bowl his leg-breaks from round the wicket. Targeting rough on the line of or outside leg stump, Benaud took six for 70 as Australia prevailed by 54 runs on their way to a series victory which would be confirmed in a draw at The Oval.

Test cricket

In 1964, he swapped bat and ball for pen and microphone, to become the most recognisable and trusted conveyer of cricket commentary and knowledge – to experts and masses alike. Indeed, Benaud was loved for his brevity, letting the action speak for itself.

He once told fellow broadcasters: “Put your brain into gear and if you can add to what’s on the screen then do it, otherwise shut up.”

In Britain for the BBC, then Channel 4 after terrestrial Test broadcast rights moved on, and in Australia for ABC and Channel Nine, he barely missed a ball for the next 45 years.

He also became a cult figure. Thousands of fans across the world attended test matches dressed unmistakably as the grey mop haired figure and whilst he was the voice of cricket for generations he was far from inimitable.

The irreverent ‘Twelfth Man’ impersonations were a hit among cricket followers and well beyond, and so introduced Benaud – and some of his colleagues – to yet another abundant new audience.

‘Thank you for having me’

Benaud signed off from British television in the 2005 Ashes series in London for Channel 4: “And that’s what it is as far as I’m concerned- time to say goodbye.

“And you can add to that – thank you for having me. It’s been absolutely marvellous for 42 years and I’ve loved every moment of it. And it’s been a great privilege to go into everyone’s living room throughout that time. What’s even better is that it’s been a great deal of fun”

He was unable to take up his commentary duties on Australia’s 5-0 whitewash of England in 2013/14, having suffered chest and shoulder injuries in a crash in his vintage car weeks before the start of the series. His legacy was already undeniable before he began treatment for skin cancer in 2014.