Richie Benaud      

Full name Richard Benaud

Born October 6, 1930, Penrith, New South Wales

Current age 79 years 36 days

Major teams Australia, New South Wales

Batting style Right-hand bat

Bowling style Legbreak googly

Other Commentator, Journalist, Author

Relation Brother - J Benaud

Few cricketers have matured so gradually yet ripened so fruitfully as Richie Benaud. With little to show for his first six years in Test cricket, he blossomed as a fully fledged allrounder in South Africa in 1957-58, then flowered as a charismatic captain at home against England in 1958-59. He repossessed the Ashes, which his teams then successfully defended twice. As a legspinner, he was full of baits and traps, and he batted and fielded with verve. Yet it was his presence, as much as anything, which summoned the best from players: cool but communicative, he impressed as one to whom no event was unexpected, no contingency unplanned for. The same has applied to his journalism: terse, direct and commonsensical, and his broadcasting: mellow and authoritative. His wise head was sought by Kerry Packer in the formation of World Series Cricket in 1977, conferring respectability on the breakaway professional circuit. A guru to Ian Chappell and Shane Warne among others, he is perhaps the most influential cricketer and cricket personality since the Second World War.
Gideon Haigh

Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1962

Jan 4, 2008

Richie Benaud ... in statue form

© Cricinfo Ltd

Jan 4, 2008

Richie Benaud stands next to a statue of himself

© Getty Images

Oct 22, 2007

Richie Benaud speaks

© Getty Images

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