Wide World of Sports @WWOS9 4m4 minutes ago The voice of cricket Richie Benaud has passed away at the age of 84. #RIPRichie and thank you for the memories. #WWOS
I come from a cricketing family and Richie Benaud was the leading voice of cricket as I grew up. He captained an unfancied Aussie side to an Ashes victory. Despite his origins, he never showed any bias as a writer or commentator and indeed revelled in Botham's destruction of the Aussie Bowlers in the 81 series. A real gentleman, the world of sport is poorer with his death. RIP Richie Benaud
A lot of commentators could do to follow his thoughts on commentating - "Never ask a statement; there are no teams in the world called we or they; avoid clichés and banalities; remember that the Titanic was a tragedy and the Ethiopian drought a disaster and neither bears any relation to a dropped catch and, most importantly, don’t take yourself too seriously and have some fun. " One of those rare people who transcend the area in which they live and work, known to people with no interest in cricket as well as those who love the game.
There isn't a TV Channel here that hasn't got some sort of tribute to Richie Benaud today. A legend here in Oz who endeared himself to millions. Richie was pilloried mercilessly by impersonator Billy Birmingham but he took it all in good fun.
Castro has it. A sad loss at the start of the season. A man of class and ability; cricket and his family has lost a good man. RIP Richie Benaud.
World wide respect and class and authority, and seemed like a nice fella too. Such a shame but he'd had a good innings. #stumps
A true legend, epitomised the game and all it stands for. Anyone remember this one, just nicked off bbc website? "And Glenn McGrath dismissed for two, just ninety-eight runs short of his century" RIP
A great cricketer and one of the finest commentators along with John Arlott. Rip Richie. The world and cricket will miss you. The clip is Richie's final few minutes of commentary. https://www.google.co.uk/?gfe_rd=cr...w&gws_rd=ssl#q=richie benaud final commentary
I got into cricket during the 2005 Ashes series. He was a big part of that. He let the action do the talking.
Hi Tigeroo, I'd heard of Billy Birmingham but had never really gave him a listen until today. I've been howling with laughter ever since!
He has a wonderful video called "The Twelfth man" which is well worth a watch. One of the Pakistan team he refers to (in Richies Voice) as 'Peanutbutterjarz'. On the video I posted of Richie doing the "Lamb" advert Billy is featured as the bloke behind the desk who, when he asks Richie if it's on then, Richie says "Nope"!
I saw the advert (I enjoyed that even as a 'veggie') and then realised one of my former students, now living and working in Australia, was a production assistant on it! I spent time today watching Billy in the commentary box with Mark Nicholas taking the mickey out of Tony Grieg. I have now ordered 'The Twelfth Man' and 'Wily Nily'! Cricket was a religion in my house growing up. My dad used to captain of Hull Cricket club and my brothers played to a fairly standard, basically I was just pooh, but I loved the game all the same. I visited the MCG and did the ground tour (including a 360 degree video from the crease) when I was out in Australia in 2005. It was me and 24 Aussies, can you imagine the piss taking on the tour round? I just about survived it though and half of us went for drink together afterwards and the craic was just great!
