End of an innings: Richie Benaud RIP

[subcontrabass]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/32182999

[muzzer]

And what an innings it was.

[antongould]

And what an innings it was.

Indeed it was....

[teamsaint]

His playing days ended before I was watching,but his commentaries were a wonderful combination of information, knowledge,and love of the game.
There surely can't be a cricket lover here that didnt learn a huge amount from him.

RIP

[burning dog]

This was written in 2005

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/sep/11/broadcasting.ashes2005

"During the C&G Trophy final between Hampshire and Warwickshire at Lord's last weekend, a loudspeaker voice announced that Richie Benaud had delivered his final television commentary at the game's headquarters. The crowd rose to their feet and applauded for two whole minutes."
.

I was at this match, Andy Bichel the Australian bowler was playing for Hampshire and seemed so inspired by the event he all but finished off the opposition who were just getting back into the game. I remember him turning and applauding the crowd after the two minutes tribute.

I loved it when Benaud commentated with Jim Laker, they both knew the value of silence and appreciated that TV coverage was different from Radio.

[DracoM]

RIP indeed. Huge but self-effacing presence in cricket. Will be missed by millions.

[Stunsworth]

One of Richie's...

"And Glenn McGrath dismissed for two, just ninety-eight runs short of his century"

One of the best, probably the best, TV sports commentators I've heard.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I saw him playing at Old Trafford in 1961 at one of the greatest Ashes test matches, when the game swung firstly one way, and then the other. England were expected to win when they came in to bat for the last innings, but fizzled out, and Australia retained the Ashes.

[eighthobstruction]

....Bonza chap!....

[Nick Armstrong]

One of Richie's...

"And Glenn McGrath dismissed for two, just ninety-eight runs short of his century"

That HAS to be apocryphal !! It's fantastic!

Yes, another voice of my younger years now silent...

[Richard Tarleton]

His car swept past me (he was in the passenger seat) when I was on the gate selling tickets at Hampshire v. Australia, Southampton, late 60s...he was commentating of course, this was the era of the Chappells, Bill Lawry etc.....

[aeolium]

I loved it when Benaud commentated with Jim Laker, they both knew the value of silence and appreciated that TV coverage was different from Radio.

Yes, a perfect match of commentators. Among many pleasant memories I remember the Botham Ashes in 1981, and also RB's commentary in the phenomenal 2005 series - certainly the best series of Test matches I ever saw. Those were of course the days when Test cricket was broadcast live on terrestrial TV, before the ECB sold the rights for a crock of gold (a strategy heavily condemned in this year's Wisden).

RIP

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

they both knew the value of silence

If only the presenters of today would take a leaf out of his book.

[Historian]

I met him once, on the train to Canterbury. He was happy to talk for a few minutes about the forthcoming 2001 Ashes series and offered his hand as we parted. It was a great pleasure to find him so patient and friendly, despite the fact that he had already been talking with another group of people for most of his journey. A fine player, a great captain and commentator and a lovely man.