The man
is Richie Benaud whose popularity is comparable to Sir
Don Bradman. He played
in 63 tests scored 2201 runs and took 249 test wickets. Benaud blended thoughtful leg spin bowling
with lower-order batting aggression. Along with fellow bowling all-rounder Alan
Davidson, he helped restore Australia to the top of world cricket in the late
1950s and early 1960s – and captained Aussies from 1958 to 1964.
Yesterday, Benaud was
not at the Sydney Cricket Ground when he was the first of 15 broadcasters and
reporters revealed as the inaugural inductees into the ground's Media Hall of
Honour. Alongside Nine stablemate Ray Warren, the legendary Norman May and
respected author Ian Heads, Benaud is one of only four living inductees. His
wife, Daphne, accepted the honor on his behalf.
Now comes the news
that Australia's voice of cricket Richie Benaud has been offered the chance to
commentate on Test matches from his home this year if he is not well enough to
get to the grounds, according to broadcaster Channel Nine. The 83-year-old
former Australia captain has been absent from the commentary box since crashing
his Sunbeam Alpine, a sporty two seat open car of 1963 into a low wall as he
drove to his home in the Sydney beachside suburb of Coogee last October. Channel
Nine chief executive David Gyngell said his desire to have Benaud on board for
the four-Test series against India later this year meant the offer to broadcast
from home was a serious option. Gyngell is quoted as stating that he would prefer
Richie calling at the ground but if that were not to happen, he will be calling
it from home.
While Benaud's ill-health meant he missed the last Ashes series, he was represented at the Sydney Test by dozens of fans dressed up in silver wigs and beige suits waving oversize Channel Nine microphones. Richie is so important that Channel Nine boss David Gyngell has asked the ailing but resilient voice of cricket to call Australia's series against India from his Coogee home.
With regards – S.
Sampathkumar
27th Aug 2014.
