Richie Benaud was an integral part of the Australian cricket team in the 1950s, setting records with bat and ball while also leading his side to several memorable victories.
But the tributes pouring in following his death on Friday attest, he will most be remembered for his iconic commentary of the sport, which brought the game alive for multiple generations of cricketers and cricket fans, all over the world.
“Forever the voice of our summer,” tweeted Cricket Australia, with the association’s chairman Wally Edwards saying the country lost “a national treasure.”
The current commentators, who learnt the art of connecting the viewer with the sport from this great legend, have too been left shocked.
There hasn’t been a commentator who watched and heard Richie Benaud and didn’t wish he could be as good. It is a very sad day for our game.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 10, 2015
Baggy green #190 the legendary Richie Benaud #RIP my friend you will be forever etched in our… https://t.co/tXppE75Zjh
— Damien Martyn (@dmartyn30) April 10, 2015
Saddened by the death of Richie Benaud, one of the greatest cricketing brains.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 10, 2015
Had the pleasure of working with Richie Benaud. He was a super star amongst commentators. #RIPRichie
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) April 10, 2015
#RIPRichieBenaud The Voice of Cricket and a truly great man. Thank you for everything you gave us, You will be missed by so many — Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) April 10, 2015
So sad the passing of Ritchie Benaud Hes left a huge impact on cricket Player, Captain and greatest commentator of all time #RIPRichie — Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) April 9, 2015
“A fine player & a broadcaster beyond compare.” @Aggerscricket pays tribute to Richie Benaud. http://t.co/jbJY2wez9a pic.twitter.com/DYArt00472 — BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 10, 2015
Sad to hear of the passing of the Richie Benaud, a great cricketer and an iconic broadcaster. — Edward Foley (@EdwardFoley) April 10, 2015
Morning everyone. RIP Richie Benaud. Best commentator ever. All-round dude who refused to take Murdoch’s shilling. Out for 84. Good innings — Michael Hogan (@michaelhogan) April 10, 2015
I once saw Richie Benaud on Sloane St & he responded with a cheery hello to my ‘oh that’s Richie Benaud’ gawp… RIP. http://t.co/A5jCgeSomV — Ian Davies (@ianjamesdavies) April 10, 2015
RT @MarkDiStef: Richie Benaud’s tips for commentating should be just tips for life (via @bennett_mason) pic.twitter.com/DkbmirF7KZ — Joseph Simpson (@JoeSimpson) April 10, 2015
My favourite Richie Benaud broadcast tip: “Above all don’t take yourself too seriously and have fun” – a tip which is ignored by many on TV — Joe Morrison (@joefooty) April 10, 2015
ECB mourns passing of #RichieBenaud http://t.co/v1sszf5bxo pic.twitter.com/WGLJM0bQ4c — England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) April 10, 2015
