Full name Richard Benaud
Born October 6, 1930, Penrith, New South Wales
Current age 79 years 50 days
Major teams Australia, New South Wales
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Legbreak googly
Other Commentator, Journalist, Author
Relation Brother - J Benaud
Batting | Bowling | Career statistics | Profile | Notes | Latest Articles | Latest Photos
| Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | 100 | 50 | 6s | Ct | St | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 63 | 97 | 7 | 2201 | 122 | 24.45 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 65 | 0 |
| First-class | 259 | 365 | 44 | 11719 | 187 | 36.50 | 23 | 61 | 254 | 0 |
| Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 63 | 116 | 19108 | 6704 | 248 | 7/72 | 11/105 | 27.03 | 2.10 | 77.0 | 16 | 16 | 1 |
| First-class | 259 | 60481 | 23370 | 945 | 7/18 | 24.73 | 2.31 | 64.0 | 56 | 9 |
| Test debut | Australia v West Indies at Sydney, Jan 25-29, 1952 scorecard |
| Last Test | Australia v South Africa at Sydney, Feb 7-12, 1964 scorecard |
| Test statistics | |
| First-class span | 1948/49 - 1963/64 |
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
- Benaud keeps the beige dream alive (Nov 15, 2009)
- The wise old king (Aug 1, 2009)
- Benaud wants to retire next year (Feb 18, 2009)
- Contrasting fortunes for the newbies (Jan 5, 2009)
- The full Richie (Dec 12, 2008)
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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