Legendary Nine cricket commentator Richie Benaud dies aged 84
Benaud starred in the most recent MLA Australia Day lamb campaign
One of Australia’s best loved TV broadcasters Richie Benaud has died aged 84, it has been announced.
The former cricketer fronted Channel Nine’s TV coverage and helped revolutionise the coverage of the sport across the world for more than five decades, but revealed he had developed skin cancer late last year.
Nine CEO David Gyngell has paid tribute to Benaud this morning saying: “Richie Benaud’s passing has robbed us not only of a national treasure, but a lovely man.”
“Richie earned the profound and lasting respect of everyone across the world of cricket and beyond -first as an outstanding player and captain, then as an incomparable commentator, and through it all as a wonderful human being.
“Richie is a true legend not only to all the people who knew him, but to the many millions who didn’t. Which speaks volumes. He’s been part of the Australian psyche.”
In January he was unveiled as the front man for the latest Meat and Livestock Association Australia Day lamb campaign, where he invited a series of legendary characters to a barbecue to celebrate with him.
Benaud represented Australia in 63 tests earning his first ‘Baggy Green’ in 1953, an captaining the team on 28 occasions, never losing a series. When he retired in 1964 he took up sports journalism and commentary first for the BBC and then in the early 1970s for Nine, and called over 500 test matches.
Nine has overhauled its line up for Saturday night to show a 90-minute tribute show to Benaud, followed by both parts of its hit miniseries Howzat! Kerry Packer’s War.
Full statement from Nine:
NEC Chief Executive David Gyngell released the following statement on the passing of Richie Benaud:
Richie Benaud’s passing has robbed us not only of a national treasure, but a lovely man.
Richie earned the profound and lasting respect of everyone across the world of cricket and beyond – first as an outstanding player and captain, then as an incomparable commentator, and through it all as a wonderful human being.
Richie is a true legend not only to all the people who knew him, but to the many millions who didn’t. Which speaks volumes. He’s been part of the Australian psyche.
Since way back in 1977 Richie has been a much loved member of the Nine family. More than that, he sat at the head of our table. We shall miss him dearly, but we’ll forever treasure his indelible memory and all the marvellous values for which he stood.
Cricket is very much the richer for Richie Benaud’s lifelong engagement. And so are we all. Our deepest sympathies go to Daphne and Richie’s family.
Statement from Nine’s Head of Sport, Steve Crawley:
You didn’t have to know Richie to love him. Everything about him. Best in the business bar none. We will miss him the way you miss loved ones. And at the same time we will thank our lucky stars he came our way at all.
Tributes have also been flowing for Benaud on Twitter from his co-commentators and Prime Minister Tony Abbott and the Gosford Anglican Church:
A sad day for Australia. We have lost a cricketing champion and Australian icon. What an innings. RIP Richie Benaud
— Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) April 9, 2015
I’ve never been around a more revered person! A true LEGEND! RIP Richie.
— Michael Slater (@mj_slats) April 9, 2015
Rest In Peace Richie Benaud. A wonderful man who did so much great work on and off the field #VoiceOfSummer
Marvellous innings #RichieBenaud pic.twitter.com/RpZfYUVxal
— Fr Rod Bower (@FrBower) April 10, 2015
— Beau Ryan (@therealbeauryan) April 9, 2015
RIP Richie Benaud. The greatest cricket commentator of them all & a wonderful man. #MourningEveryone — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 9, 2015
i can just hear welcome back Richie from Tony Greig… rip Richie..
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RIP Richie a great Australian and gentleman
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