Name:

Benaud, Richie

Date of Birth:

06 Oct 1930

Gender:

Male

Place of Birth:

Penrith, NSW

Date Died:

10 Apr 2015

Career:

Test: 1952 - 1964
First Class: 1948 - 1964

Teams:

Australia (Country)
NSW (Regional)

Marvellous life: Tribute to Richie Benaud

Richie Benaud: Captain par excellence, fine broadcaster

Born : 6 October 1930 at Penrith, New South Wales, Australia

Richie Benaud was a true all-rounder. He was a powerful middle-order batsman, skillful leg-spin bowler and fine close fielder as well as being one of the great Test captains.

Benaud, who was born in Penrith, just west of Sydney, into a family of Huguenot origin. His father. Lou Benaud, who had once taken all 20 wickets in a bush match, keenly and wisely guided his two sons. John, who played in three Tests, was 13 years younger.

After attending Parramatta high school, Richie made his New South Wales debut on the final day of 1948. He made his Test debut in 1951 against the West Indies at the SCG.

His performances in South Africa in 1957-58 was pivotal in him securing the captaincy. He cracked a century in both the Johannesburg Tests, averaged 54 in the series, and took 30 wickets at a rate of just under 22 runs each in the five Tests.

When Ian Craig was struck down with illness, Benaud got the nod over then vice captain Neil Harvey. He regained the Ashes in his first attempt, defeating a strong England team in the 1958/59 series.

He possessed the full range of leg-spin bowling options, including the flipper. His most memorable bowling performance was 6-70 in the final innings of the Test against England at Manchester in 1961, when England had seemed set for an easy victory.

He was the first player to complete the double of 2 000 runs and 200 wickets in Tests. He was captain in 28 of his Tests, inspiring a positive approach to the game.

This was most notable in the famous 1960/61 series against West Indies, which included the tied Test at Brisbane.

On retirement he moved into the media primarily as a leading TV commentator and has been present at over 500 Test matches.

He was awarded an OBE in 1961. He was also inducted into the Australian Hall of Fame (2007) and ICC Hall of Fame (2009)

Richie Benaud passed away on 9 April 2015 in Sydney.

Source: CricketCrowd Reporter