Benaud stated he would spend the Northern Hemisphere summer in Britain writing, and would continue working for the Nine Network in Australia. "[2] In his review of Benaud's autobiography Anything But, Sri Lankan cricket writer Harold de Andrado wrote: "Richie Benaud possibly next to Sir Don Bradman has been one of the greatest cricketing personalities as player, researcher, writer, critic, author, organiser, adviser and student of the game."[3]. [29], During the 1956 tour to England, he helped Australia to its only victory in the Lord's Test, when he scored a rapid 97 in the second innings in 143 minutes from only 113 balls. He wrote a number of books, rather serious works written with little flourish, and there were two books about him, one by AG Moyes and a later study by Mark Browning. Source: Cricinfo, 22 December 2007. [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. Tony Abbott offers family a state funeral for the former Australian leg-spinner, cricket captain and commentator. He helped the Australian team have the attitude where they wanted to win. He became the first player to reach 200 wickets and 2,000 runs in Test cricket, arriving at that milestone in 1963. The first Test of the season, against the touring South Africans, saw high drama as Australia's left arm paceman Ian Meckiff was called for throwing by Colin Egar and removed from the attack by Benaud after one over. [31], The 196162 Australian season was purely a domestic one, with no touring international team. The young leg spinner claimed Hassett in the second innings when a ball landed in a crack and skidded through onto his foot. But he was a survivor, even if his friendship with Bradman never quite recovered from that cricket civil war. This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 20:19. He had been seventh and eighth in the domestic run-scoring and wicket-taking aggregates for the season, but was yet to convert this into international performance. On March 29, 1967 Marcia divorced Richie Benaud on the grounds of desertion. ", Benaud married Marcia Lavender in 1953 and had two sons, Greg and Jeffery, from this marriage; he divorced Marcia in 1967. The selectors long-term planning had reached fulfilment. Richie Benaud Cause of Death, How did Richie Benaud Die? [55] Benaud had less of an impact on the next two Tests, which Australia lost and drew, totaling 6/244. At Adelaide, a nation was brought to a standstill during a long, pulsating last-wicket stand between Ken Mackay and the near-hopeless No 11 Lindsay Kline as they secured an unlikely draw for Australia. Richie Benaud death. RIP Richie Benaud. Richie Benaud, pictured during his touring days as Australian Test captain had an interest in cars, particularly Renaults and Sunbeams, and passed that interest down to his sons Greg and Jeff, Richie Benaud (pictured) married his second wife Daphne, an ardent cricket fan, in 1967 and together the couple forged a remarkable partnership during which the former Test captain became a legend behind the microphone. Benaud was the first man to achieve 2,000 runs and 200 wickets at Test level. He was 84. After such an impressive playing career, he became even better known as a prolific author, columnist and commentator on cricket. In his final Ashes series, in 1962-63, the tempo reverted to that of the bad old days. [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. [10] He had more success with the bat, scoring 93 and narrowly missing a century against South Australia. 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. [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. Richie Benaud Biography Richie Benaud Networth 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. 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. [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. In 1963 he became the first player to complete the Test double of 200 wickets and 2,000 runs. It's been very much appreciated.'. 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. SUBSCRIBE TO US [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. 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. Benaud, Richard (Richie) (1930-2015) by Kersi Meher-Homji. 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. [8] Selected as a batsman, he scored 3 and 19. At the suggestion that it showed dignity, she said 'thank you.'. By Candace Sutton for Daily Mail Australia, Published: 05:25 GMT, 2 October 2015 | Updated: 10:26 GMT, 2 October 2015. Reaction to the death of former Australian cricket captain and commentator Richie Benaud, known as the 'Voice of Cricket'. This put him in a small group of spinners whose career averages were inferior to their performances against India, generally regarded as the best players of spin in the world. Here is all you want to know, and more! [47] Benaud's men won the Second Test,[48] before he took 5/83 and 4/94 in the drawn Third Test. 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'. Discover the real story, facts, and details of Richie Benaud. Benaud struck exactly 100 in the first innings, before taking 4/70 in South Africa's reply. 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. As a captain, he never lost a Test series. [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. 'He likes to keep his privacy.'. But Richie asked the pretty young woman out, and when he moved on to a job as a clerk at The Sun newspaper their relationship grew. Richie Benaud's Death - Cause and Date - The Celebrity Deaths [7], He took the wicket of Queensland batsman Bill Brown in his third match of the season. Greg said he did not wish to discuss his brother Jeff, who is married with no children and is believed to have worked in marketing. 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. In a one-off Test against Pakistan in Karachi, he scored 56 and took 1/36 as Australia fell to defeat. Australian Test captain Michael Clarke said Benaud was a gentleman who played cricket in the right spirit. Richie Benaud was the captain of the Australian team that was in charge of the Australian side which featured in Test cricket's first-ever tied match, against the West Indies in 1960-61. In 1958 he became Australia's Test captain until his retirement in 1964. [113][123], Benaud was buried on 15 April, in a private funeral ceremony attended only by his immediate family. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Australia never lost a series under the leg-spinning all-rounder's . 6 October 1930 City of Penrith: Date of death: 10 April 2015 Sydney: Manner of death: natural causes; Cause of death: cancer; Country of citizenship: Australia; Country for sport: Australia; Educated at: Parramatta High School; Occupation: cricketer; journalist; from around the world following the news of Benaud's death. A pioneering leg-spin bowler, Benaud played in 63 Tests, 28 as captain, before retiring in. BBC Radio 5 live pays tribute to Richie Benaud. Benaud, a former Australian captain and cricketing commentator, was 84 when he died in April 2015 after battling skin cancer. He took up a journalism position with the News of the World,[98] beginning as a police roundsman before becoming a sports columnist. Benaud was cementing his position and was in the senior team for four consecutive matches even with the Test players available. [45] He had been a major contributor to the series win, scoring 329 runs at 54.83 and taking 30 wickets at 21.93, establishing himself as one of the leading leg spinners of the modern era. Richie Benaud: Australia cricket legend & commentator dies at 84 Benaud was the first player to score 2,000 Test runs and take 200 Test wickets yet was as renowned for his captaincy. Catches/ stumpings. '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. During the interview, Ms Benaud revealed details her life with Richie before she was left 'devastated' when he left her to marry his second wife, Daphne. His Australian cricket television commentary continued until it was brought to a halt by a car accident in 2013 and shortly afterwards he announced that he had skin cancer a legacy, he suspected, of his bareheaded days on the field. His father Louis, a third-generation Australian of French Huguenot descent,[4] was a leg spinner who played for Penrith District Cricket Club in Sydney Grade Cricket, gaining attention for taking all twenty wickets in a match against St. Marys for 65. Benaud took 4/69 and 4/42 in the First Test in Dacca (now in Bangladesh), sealing Australia's first win in Pakistan. [9] This was the only match he played for the second-string state team that summer. 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!' ', Marcia said she waited two years to get divorced, 'because of my sons.' 'But it suited [Richie] to keep it quiet, and so that's how it was kept.'. 'It's 39 years since I spoke to or saw him, except on TV,' she said. It was presented to his wife. It was screened before Australias Test series against India last December. Wonderful cricketer, great captain, a master craftsman commentator and top man. 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. His instinctive, aggressive captaincy and daring approach to cricket and his charismatic nature and public relations ability revitalised cricket interest in Australia. UPDATE 1-Cricket-Reaction to the death of the 'Voice of Cricket' Benaud Richie Benaud (1930-2015) *84, Grave #86215750 - Sysoon [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. Renowned cricket broadcaster Richie Benaud passed away on Friday in Sydney. 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. [68] After Harvey led the team to victory at Lord's,[69] Benaud had an unhappy return in the Third at Headingley scoring two runs in two innings and taking match figures of 2/108 as Australia lost within three days. After retiring, Benaud became a commentary icon, with the BBC and later for Channel 4 in the UK and also in his native Australia. ", At the age of 83, he crushed two vertebrae when his 1963 Sunbeam vintage sports car, Test debut against West Indies at Sydney Cricket Ground, First of 248 Test wickets and 2,201 Test runs, First Test as Australia captain, v England at Brisbane, In his 60th Test, the first to 2,000 Test runs & 200 wickets, Final Test against South Africa at Sydney Cricket Ground, Final commentary in England after 42 years. Benaud took 3/116 to complement scores of 43 and 90 on his return in the Third Test in Sydney. Marcia had thought Richie's hanging up of the bat would bring him home. [7] Benaud was the only bowler selected for all five Tests of the 195455 series when England visited Australia. Richie commentated regularly during the 201112 season and was part of Nine's commentating team/roster. ", Sri Lanka wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkaraexternal-link added: "So sad to hear about the passing of Richie Benaud. Richie Benaud Dead: Legendary Cricket Commentator Dies At 84 Then, within the year, Richie Benaud became captain of his country. 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. 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. '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. Will always be remembered and admired. 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. [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. "Cricinfo review of Benaud autobiography: "Statsguru R Benaud Tests Innings by innings list", "Bradman sums up on Tests: Lack of Intentness, Spinners Lost Ashes", "Australia Loses Eight For 140 in Sensational Test Collapse", "Australia Prime Minister's XI v Marylebone Cricket Club", "Australia in West Indies 1954/55 (1st Test)", "Australia in West Indies 1954/55 (2nd Test)", "Australia in West Indies 1954/55 (3rd Test)", "Australia in West Indies 1954/55 (5th Test)", "Test batting and fielding in each season by Richie Benaud", "Australia in British Isles 1956 (2nd Test)", "Australia in India and Pakistan 1956/57 (Only Test)", "Australia in India and Pakistan 1956/57 (1st Test)", "Australia in India and Pakistan 1956/57 (2nd Test)", "Australia in India and Pakistan 1956/57 (3rd Test)", "Test bowling in each season by Richie Benaud", "Both pace and spin can succeed in India", "First-class bowling in each season by Richie Benaud", "Australia in South Africa 1957/58 (1st Test)", "Australia in South Africa 1957/58 (2nd Test)", "Australia in South Africa 1957/58 (3rd Test)", "Australia in South Africa 1957/58 (4th Test)", "Australia in South Africa 1957/58 (5th Test)", "Marylebone Cricket Club in Australia and New Zealand 1958/59 (1st Test)", "Marylebone Cricket Club in Australia and New Zealand 1958/59 (2nd Test)", "Marylebone Cricket Club in Australia and New Zealand 1958/59 (3rd Test)", "Marylebone Cricket Club in Australia and New Zealand 1958/59 (4th Test)", "Marylebone Cricket Club in Australia and New Zealand 1958/59 (5th Test)", "Australia in India and Pakistan 1959/60 (1st Test)", "Australia in India and Pakistan 1959/60 (2nd Test)", "Australia in India and Pakistan 1959/60 (3rd Test)", "Australia in India and Pakistan 1959/60 (4th Test)", "Australia in India and Pakistan 1959/60 (5th Test)", "West Indies in Australia 1960/61 (1st Test)", "West Indies in Australia 1960/61 (2nd Test)", "West Indies in Australia 1960/61 (3rd Test)", "West Indies in Australia 1960/61 (4th Test)", "West Indies in Australia 1960/61 (5th Test)", "Australia in British Isles 1961 (1st Test)", "Australia in British Isles 1961 (2nd Test)", "Australia in British Isles 1961 (3rd Test)", "Australia in British Isles 1961 (4th Test)", "Australia in British Isles 1961 (5th Test)", "First-class bowling in Australia for 1961/62 (ordered by wickets)", "New South Wales v Marylebone Cricket Club", "Marylebone Cricket Club in Australia and New Zealand 1962/63 (1st Test)", "Marylebone Cricket Club in Australia and New Zealand 1962/63 (2nd Test)", "Marylebone Cricket Club in Australia and New Zealand 1962/63 (3rd Test)", "Marylebone Cricket Club in Australia and New Zealand 1962/63 (4th Test)", "Marylebone Cricket Club in Australia and New Zealand 1962/63 (5th Test)", "South Africa in Australia and New Zealand 1963/64 (1st Test)", "South Africa in Australia and New Zealand 1963/64 (2nd Test)", "South Africa in Australia and New Zealand 1963/64 (3rd Test)", "South Africa in Australia and New Zealand 1963/64 (4th Test)", "South Africa in Australia and New Zealand 1963/64 (5th Test)", "John Benaud: Donned many a hat, but remained eclipsed by his brother Richie", "Test matches Batting records Fastest hundreds", "Richie Benaud dies aged 84: sport pays tribute", "Richie Benaud much more than a cricket commentator", "End of innings for cricket great Richie Benaud", "SHANE WARNE THE MIKE GATTING BALL VS ENGLAND 1993", "The legend of Richie Benaud's cream jacket began during World Series Cricket", "Benaud's all-time team opens up a can of worms, but imagine watching them play", "Benaud declares with a warning to cricket", "Got 'im! 'It was a 6pm wedding. . He had brought novel flashes of exhibitionism into play on the cricket field, racing over to embrace a fieldsman after a catch, his own shirt unbuttoned almost to the navel. 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. [91] In 196768 he captained a Commonwealth team against Pakistan, playing in his last five first-class fixtures. I used to go to matches and even went on the Hill in Sydney when he was batting with Norm O'Neill.'. 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. It was developed by the software company Turtlez Ltd. Having downloaded this, cricket fans would be treated to live Test match updates and weather reports from a cartoon version of Benaud with real voice samples such as "Got 'im!" How did Richie Benaud Die? Tributes have been pouring in from around the world following the news of Benaud's death. In 1960, he made his first radio commentary in the United Kingdom at the BBC, after which he moved into television. He was shrewd not only from the weight of experience but in the cautious way he rationed opinions.