", "Well, the answer to that", Benaud replied, "If there is, as there always can be, some emergency or a sensational happening on or off the field where it would be quite ridiculous not to go into the commentary box, of course I'll be in there doing my job and doing it as professionally as I can. [7], In the next match against South Australia, he made 48, took 4/93 and 1/29 and suffered three dropped catches by the wicketkeeper in successive balls. [7] This was part of a month-long run in which he made only 123 runs in eight innings and took only seven wickets in four matches. [7] As a specialist batsman, he made his first-class debut for New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground against Queensland in the New Year's match of the 194849 season. They were booed and heckled as they left the field and Benaud's reputation as a "go ahead" cricket captain was badly tarnished. [109] Chris Barrie of Red Dwarf fame incorporated impressions of Benaud into his stand-up repertoire. Aussie TV stands up for England", "12th Man Billy Birmingham on Richie Benaud", "Richie Benaud retires from all television commentary", "Richie Benaud signs new three-year deal with Channel Nine", "Richie Benaud dies: Prime Minister Tony Abbott offers a state funeral for cricket great", "Bon Voyage, 'Sir Richie': a teacher, a gentleman", "Voice of cricket happy to strengthen his French connection", "Richie Benaud A Marvellous Life 19302015 Full Episode", "Richie Benaud: time to say goodbye to cricket's permanent witness", "Richie Benaud: World pays tribute to cricket legend & commentator", "Richie Benaud family declines Australia state funeral", "Richie Benaud: Private funeral for cricket legend", "Richie Benaud obituary: the 'voice of cricket' was the game's shrewdest analyst", "Benaud, Gooch, Compton, Larwood and Woolley inducted into Cricket Hall of Fame", "Marvellous Richie Benaud becomes the 40th Legend of Australian sport", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Richie_Benaud&oldid=1141586246. Five days later, he fronted Wesley Methodist Church in Strathfield, Sydney, still bearing the stitched wound. Coupled with his subtle variations in flight and angle of the delivery, he kept the batsman under constant pressure. 'It was a 6pm wedding. Following his retirement from international cricket in 1964, Benaud became a highly regarded commentator on the game. Richie Benaud obituary | Richie Benaud | The Guardian 'He told me I should cut my hair for the funeral, but not to take toomuch off,' Greg told Daily Mail Australia. [7] However, this was not enough to ensure his selection in the First Test, where he was made 12th man. 'It's very different to what it is like now. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. 'Not as much as when we were children. He ended with 121 and took four wickets in the match as Australia won by an innings and took the series 30. But he was a survivor, even if his friendship with Bradman never quite recovered from that cricket civil war. The matter will return to court on December 4. He was buried on April 15 in a private funeral ceremony attended only by immediate family members. [4] Educated at Parramatta High School, Benaud made his first grade debut for Cumberland at age 16, primarily as a batsman. [33] After taking four wickets in the drawn Second Test in Bombay,[34], Benaud bowled Australia to victory in the Third Test in Calcutta, sealing the series 20. The boys played cricket in the yard and at school, where Jeffrey made the school eleven and Greg 'started as an off break bowler and ended up as leg spin'. He appeared in Richie Benaud's Greatest XI, a video in which he chooses his own team. Ritchie Benaud pictured in 2004, when he was commentating for Channel 4. As the great cricketing icon toured the world with Daphne, dividing their timebetween their beachside Sydney apartment, their house in France and luxury hotels in England, Marcia claims that on more than one occasion she had to challenge Richie in court about payments for their two sons. [119] He died in his sleep on 10 April 2015. [36] His batting was reliable, with 227 runs at 32.47. Benaud was the first player to score 2,000 Test runs and take 200 Test wickets yet was as renowned for his captaincy. At this point, Australia had already taken an unassailable 31 series lead and decided to try out some young players. Benaud hit a ball into the covers and the pair attempted a quick single when a direct hit from Joe Solomon saw Davidson run out. Do not sell or share my personal information. He was attacked by the touring batsmen, taking 1/75 from 16.5 overs in his first outing against an international outfit. EXCLUSIVE: Head teacher of leading grammar school is sacked for sending parents a list of striking teachers. Benaud struck exactly 100 in the first innings, before taking 4/70 in South Africa's reply. Now Richie Benaud's first wife Marcia, who lives with one of Richie's estranged sons in a housing commission cottage, is about to have that once private life become very public. [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. He spent two weeks in hospital for the surgery. Benaud led his country. Benaud played international cricket from 1952 to 1964, and Australia never lost a series under his captaincy (28 games). Marcia Lavender was a shorthand typist from Strathfield in Sydney's inner west and working at a chartered accountants office in Sydney's CBD where young cricketer Richie Benaud was trying to make a career. Legendary Australian cricket commentator Richie Benaud has died. John, who played in three Tests, was 13 years younger. He married after the match and had to mumble his wedding vows through a swathe of bandages. 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'. There were good times when he was home at the family house in Beecroft, in Sydney's north. Doctors told him he was lucky: it could have broken his cheekbones, jaw or removed his eyesight if it had hit any of the surrounding areas. [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. How did Richie Benaud Die? 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. R ichie Benaud, Australia's legendary cricket captain and commentator, died in Sydney on Friday, his family said. His instinctive, aggressive captaincy and daring approach to cricket and his charismatic nature and public relations ability revitalised cricket interest in Australia. It worked at once, and Benaud used it thereafter. 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. He finished the innings with 6/70. When, a few months later in England, Benaud took veteran Ray Lindwalls advice and bowled his leg-spin around the wicket into the rough, when all seemed lost in the Old Trafford Test, his wicket-taking that afternoon ensured that Australia retained the Ashes and raised the captain close to sainthood in the estimation of his team and his country. His voice was even more present than the chirping of the cicadas in our suburbs and towns and that voice, tragically, is now still., British prime minister David Cameron said: I grew up listening to Richie Benauds wonderful cricket commentary. In 2017, the Australian Mint issued a 50-cent coin commemorating Benaud. Australian Cricket Commentator Richie Benaud Dies at 84 | Time [91] In 196768 he captained a Commonwealth team against Pakistan, playing in his last five first-class fixtures. 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. Nor have they sought the limelight occupied by their father. 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 had been receiving treatment for skin cancer since November. He took 18 wickets in these matches, including 3/20 and 3/37 against Oxford University, 5/13 against Minor Counties and 4/38 against Hampshire. A strong England party, led by Peter May, were widely expected to retain the Ashes. [72], During England's chase on the final afternoon it became apparent that, with Ted Dexter scoring quickly, Australia would lose the Test unless England were bowled out. ", Benaud married Marcia Lavender in 1953 and had two sons, Greg and Jeffery, from this marriage; he divorced Marcia in 1967. Abbott described him as the voice of cricket. Richie Benaud - Wikipedia Born October 6, 1930, Benaud was a legend by every definition on the book, but there . Richie Benaud dead: Australia mourns loss of cricketing great AAP/Dean Lewins. Cricket-Reaction to the death of the 'Voice of Cricket' Benaud - Yahoo! 'There was the odd phone call from England,' she told Daily Mail Australia. Former Australia cricket captain and renowned commentator Richie Benaud has died aged 84. [7] Leading opposition batsman Everton Weekes edged Benaud in his first over, but Gil Langley dropped the catch. Richie proposed to Marcia and the engaged pair planned to marry on January 15, 1953, in between the third and fourth tests against the touring South African team. [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. Pearce's XI at Scarborough. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, He made another century in the return match, striking 144 not out and taking a total of 2/55. Shane Warne, Australia's record wicket-taker, made a particularly, said Benaud's passing was "a sad day for Australia", adding: "We have lost a cricketing champion and Australian icon. 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. [125] In 1999, he was awarded a Logie Award for Most Outstanding Sports Broadcaster. It was something he shouldn't have done. In 1960, he made his first radio commentary in the United Kingdom at the BBC, after which he moved into television. The great voice of cricket is no more. Richie Benaud Cause of Death, How did Richie Benaud Die? Last updated on 10 April 201510 April 2015.From the section Cricket. In 1963 he became the first player to complete the Test double of 200 wickets and 2,000 runs. Kissing the bride was [tricky],' Marcia told Daily Mail Australia. They are Richie Benaud's secret first family, whose lives are far removed from the glittering sporting career the cricket legend led in the media spotlight before his death in April. Slow recovery meant he was unable to commentate for Australia's Channel Nine during the 201314 Ashes series. Three months later, Benaud married Daphne Surfleet and they embarked on a life of adventure in which Richie would cement his name in history and he and Daphne Benaud would forge an ironclad relationship that endured until his death last Friday. He had been battling skin cancer By Charlie Eccleshare Until. . Death date: 10 April, 2015, Friday. 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. However, cricketers like Shane Warne, Ian Chappell, Michael Clarke among several others visited his commemoration service on the same day. [110], On 18 February 2009, during a radio interview, Benaud announced that he would be retiring from television commentary. 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. But he had been a distinguished performer for Australia on the cricket field himself, playing for his country for 12 years until 1964. ", added: "So sad to hear about the passing of Richie Benaud. In November, he revealed he was being treated for skin cancer. [24], Australia's selectors persisted and selected him for the squad to tour the West Indies in 195455. '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. [29], At the start of the 196364 season, Benaud announced that it would be his last at first-class level. The lawsuit against Richie Benauds estate involves complex trusts and superannuation funds both in Australia and overseas, the NSW Supreme court was told on Friday. 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. 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. Ms Benaud said Richie hadkept in touch with their sons, but as the years went by they 'didn't see him as often'. Benaud retired from international cricket in 1964 and turned to full-time cricket journalism and commentary, for which he already had runs on the board with the BBC. "Richie was not just a great cricket commentator, he was one of the finest sports commentators of his generation," said Barbara Slater, Director of BBC Sport. [31] In 1967, he married his second wife, Daphne Surfleet, who had worked for the English cricket writer E. W. Former Australia captain and legendary cricket commentator Richie Benaud has died at the age of 84. Marcia had thought Richie's hanging up of the bat would bring him home. 'I kept on seeing Dad throughout my life - occasionally,' confirmed Greg Benaud. However, cricketers like Shane Warne, Ian Chappell, Michael Clarke among several others visited his commemoration service on the same day. Richie Benaud - ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) [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. In a one-off Test against Pakistan in Karachi, he scored 56 and took 1/36 as Australia fell to defeat. They were different times and it was the right thing to do for them.'. Cricket icon Richie Benaud, who distinguished himself first as a leg-spinning all-rounder, then as a daring Australian Test captain and later as the . [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. His last goodbye was interrupted by Glenn McGrath taking Kevin Pietersen's wicket; Benaud simply wove his description of the dismissal into what he was already saying. Their faith was rewarded by an improvement in performances. UPDATE 1-Cricket-Reaction to the death of the 'Voice of Cricket' Benaud [17] Benaud went on to play in the final four Tests. After such an impressive playing career, he became even better known as a prolific author, columnist and commentator on cricket. 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. [101] Some of his other memorable moments he commentated on included Shane Warne's "Ball of the Century",[102] Ian Botham's dominant all-round display during the 1981 Ashes,[97] Dennis Lillee overtaking Benaud's record for most wickets, and subsequent 300th and 310th wickets, and Andrew Symonds' tackle on a streaker. [73] Benaud had a poor series with the bat, scoring 45 runs at 9, but was more successful with the ball, taking 15 wickets at 32.53. Birth date: 6 October, 1930, Monday. 'It's 39 years since I spoke to or saw him, except on TV,' she said. [80][81][82] Benaud returned to form with match figures of 5/142 and 57 in the Fifth Test at Sydney,[83] which ended in a draw when Benaud ordered Bill Lawry and Peter Burge to play out the last afternoon for a draw that would retain the Ashes. Obituary - Richard (Richie) Benaud - Obituaries Australia - ANU He ended the series with 200 runs at 25 and eight wickets at 42.5. 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". 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!" After retiring, Benaud became a commentary icon, with the BBC and later for Channel 4 in the UK and also in his native Australia. [5] Lou later moved to Parramatta region in western Sydney, and played for Cumberland. Benaud removed Meckiff from the attack and did not recall him. [128] After rain interrupted the 2016 SCG Test against West Indies, the second day unofficially became Richie Benaud Day as 501 Benaud impersonators stayed at the SCG, which is a day before the annual Jane McGrath Day for Breast Cancer awareness and fundraising, which was again rained out.[129]. After attending Parramatta high school, Richie made his New South Wales debut on the final day of 1948. Benaud's highest Test score of 122 was made against South Africa, His best Test bowling effort of 7 for 72 was against, He captained Australia in 28 Tests: 12 wins, 11 draws, 1 tie, 4 losses. Oscar Cainer tells all. Will always be remembered and admired. No comments have so far been submitted. With an attacking partnership, the pair took Australia to within sight of the target. When South Africa followed on, Benaud took 5/84, which left Australia needing only one run to win. He scored 817 runs including four centuries, two of them in Test matches. The Ashes were retained in England in 1961, though a shoulder injury kept Benaud from the Lords Test, which was won by Australia under Harvey. [citation needed], Benaud took over when Australian cricket was in a low phase with a young team. Like all fans of the sport, I will miss him very much.. 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. [8] Selected as a batsman, he scored 3 and 19. Listen to impressionist Rory Bremner paying tribute to Richie Benaud. Marcia Benaud kept her surname 'for the sake of my sons. BBC Radio 5 live pays tribute to Richie Benaud. Lou Benaud, who had once taken all 20 wickets in a bush match, keenly and wisely guided his two sons. [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. The selectors long-term planning had reached fulfilment. In his three Tests he averaged just three runs with the bat scoring 15 runs over five innings and took two wickets for 174 before ending the long tour in glory with 135 in a festival match at a crowded Scarborough ground, hitting 11 sixes to equal the world record at that time. 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. On March 29, 1967 Marcia divorced Richie Benaud on the grounds of desertion. Five days before their wedding and listening to the match on the radio, Marcia heard that her fianc had been struck in the lip while fielding. Benaud died peacefully in his sleep in a hospice, the Sydney Morning. A pioneering leg-spin bowler, Benaud played in 63 Tests, 28 as captain, before retiring in. 1930 - 2015. Marcia Benaud described the times when Richie was overseas as lonely and trying. 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. First wife: The former Marcia Lavender (pictured) married Richie Benaud in 1953, had two boys and divorced in 1967 and at the time of the cricketing legend's death in April had not seen him - except on TV - for 39 years. 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'. But he chose to study architecture over cricket, although not finishing his degree, Marcia Benaud (pictured in the garden of her Central Coast home) said following the end of her marriage to Richie Benaud, the cricketing great preferred to keep his past quiet and contact with their famous Dad became less frequent as they got older, Richie and Marcia Benaud pictured with their two sons, Jeffrey (left) and Greg (centre) in the early 1960s during the early days of his Test career at a time when cricketers earned little reward and Benaud had do advertisements to pay for keeping a family. By that summers end, with the beaten but popular West Indies having had a tickertape motorcade send-off in Melbourne, Richie Benauds own popularity was sealed. [31] He was unable to maintain the standards he had set in the West Indies, contributing little apart from the Lord's Test. [88] His final two Tests saw no fairytale finish, yielding only four wickets and 55 runs. [4] Benaud had the tendency to bowl around the wicket at a time when he was one of the first players to do so; it had an influence on spin bowlers like Shane Warne and Ashley Giles. How remorseless Stephen Bear continued his arrogant antics up until or debate this issue live on our message boards. [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. In the case of the latter, comedian Billy Birmingham's impersonations of Benaud on The Twelfth Man comedy recordings have become very successful, spanning more than twenty years. [19] It was thought that the surface at the Oval would favour pacemen, but Australia's selection proved to be a blunder[21] as England's spinners[22] took them to the only win of the series, allowing them to regain the Ashes. Along with the West Indian captain Frank Worrell, Benaud's bold leadership enlivened interest in Test cricket among a public who had increasingly regarded it as boring. There will never be another Richie Benaud. In all he missed a third of the matches due to injury. Here is all you want to know, and more! He ended the Test series with 15 runs at 3.00 and two wickets at 87.00. [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. Afterwards, they flew to Adelaide where Richie took part in the fourth Test. Cause of Richie Benaud death. 2. In his final Ashes series, in 1962-63, the tempo reverted to that of the bad old days. 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. The couple honeymooned in Jervis Bay where, Marcia remembered with amusement, they were given a room in the naval barracks with two single beds. For the following Australian season in 195253, Benaud started modestly; and, in the five first-class matches before the Tests, he scored 208 runs at 26.00, including a 63 and 69, and 14 wickets at 38.64. Over the first years of their marriage, Benaud would tour overseas with the Australian cricket team to the West Indies, England, India, Pakistan and South Africa. [7] Benaud scored his maiden first-class century, 117 against South Australia, in the next match, two years after falling short of the milestone by seven runs. 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. The well-groomed couple divided their time between their apartment in the Sydney beach suburb of Coogee, their house in France and five star hotels near the cricketing grounds of England as he pursued his broadcasting career. 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. 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; 'It was very, very difficult.'. Three years later, against the West Indies at Sydney, he first played for Australia. We'd have baked dinners on a Sunday at their houses.'. [7][11] He then finished the summer strongly, and ended the season with 811 runs at 62.38 and 35 wickets at 30.54. [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. Benaud contributed 46 and match figures of 2/73 in a First Test victory at Kingston. Greg Benaud said he and brother Jeffrey met Australian Test players, such as Alan Davidson and Arthur Morris, who his father invited round for team meetings in the garage of the Beecroft home, 'starting off with Davo leading a prayer and then they would discuss tactics and show 8mm home moves of games'. Benaud's ad featured him in various scenic locations uttering his signature comment, "Marvellous!". It was screened before Australias Test series against India last December. His career in television then took off, while his contract with the News of the World was to proceed for half a century until the paper closed in 2011. 254/-. [29][36] The first two seasons of the Benaud captaincy had been a resounding success, with Australia winning eight, drawing four and losing only one Test. He became the first player to reach 200 wickets and 2,000 runs in Test cricket, arriving at that milestone in 1963. Australian Test captain Michael Clarke said Benaud was a gentleman who played cricket in the right spirit. A veteran of 63 Test matches,. Richie Benaud. He chose to end his British commentary career, which spanned more than 42 years, when the rights to broadcast live Test match cricket were lost by Channel 4 to the subscription broadcaster British Sky Broadcasting. [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 could have killed him if it had struck him where his skull was previously fractured. 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 . Richie Benaud dead | The Australian