5th June 1961: Australian cricket captain Richie Benaud shaving in his hotel room while in Britain for the 1961 test series. (Photo by John Pratt/Keystone Features/Getty Images)
Richie Benaud, was the Australia cricket captain who became the voice of summer days until bad light stopped play and stumps were pulled from the turf.
Benaud played in 63 Tests for Australia, 28 as captain – he was the first man to achieve 2,000 runs and 200 wickets at Test level – retiring in 1964 to pursue what would be a wonderful career in journalism and broadcasting.
5th June 1961: Australian cricket captain Richie Benaud in his hotel room while in Britain for the 1961 test series. (Photo by John Pratt/Keystone Features/Getty Images)
Tim Blair looks back:
Penrith-born Benaud was deeply involved in two great Australian cricket revivals. The first occurred under his captaincy, when Benaud adopted an attacking approach missing from Australian Test cricket since the retirement in 1948 of Sir Donald Bradman. Benaud’s leadership in the 1960/61 series against the West Indies, which included the first ever tied Test, remains his magnificent legacy. The second revival occurred in the 1970s, when Benaud played a crucial role in the administration and presentation of Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket revolution.
An extroverted player, Benaud’s commentary style was spare and understated, and all the more powerful for it.
Richie Benaud died on April 10 2015.
LONDON – SEPTEMBER 11: Channel 4 commentator Richie Benaud looks on during day four of the Fifth npower Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Brit Oval on September 11, 2005 in London, England. (Photo by Tom Shaw/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Richie Benaud
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