Rest In Peace - Richie Benaud

[harmony]

This is a punting forum, but between punts enough AUS99 members follow the cricket, that this thread was posted


Here is a selection of the news articles from today.



http://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket...-1227298290039

THE cricketing world has lost a legend today.

Richie Benaud died this morning after a marvellous innings of 84.

On the field he was a cricketing hero. An Australian captain who played 63 Tests, and never lost a Test series that he captained

Off the field, he was the voice of summer for generations of sports fans.

He set a superlative example for all Australian cricketers to follow, including class and grace
His teams relied on skill and sportsmanship, without any need for sledging

As a television commentator, his principle was: "Only open your mouth if you have something to add to what the pictures were saying"

As a special tribute the Herald Sun is urging Australians to pay tribute with a minute’s silence at 2.22pm today.

Let’s make 2.22pm #RichieTime



Pay tribute to Richie Benaud with a minute’s silence at 2.22pm today. Source: HeraldSun

[harmony]

www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/ten-of-the-many-reasons-why-richie-benaud-is-an-australian-legend-20150410-1mi1sv.html

There are so many reasons why Richie Benaud was an Australian legend. We could have made a list of 100, but here are ten ways we reckon he was an absolute champion on and off the cricket field.

1. He was the undisputed voice of cricket:
"Maaaarvelllous." "Super shot that." His lilt was so familiar that your blind grandmother could recognise his voice on the TV (and mine did).
He was the last great broadcaster with a BBC-Australian accent. Pure class.


Richie Benaud shows his batting style in December 1958. Photo: Bob Rice




Two legends: Don Bradman and Richie Benaud checking out the wicket for the First Test in 1960

2. The cricket sartorialist:
His cream commentary sports coats were legendary. The cream, the bone, the off white, the ivory and the beige (see 12th Man below)

3. He was a 'westie':
Richie came from Penrith and went to Parramatta High

The Nine commentary team - Classic Edition: Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Richie Benaud. Bill Lawry and Tony Greig in 1993.

4. Shane Warne:
Benaud was the first properly attacking spin bowler in test cricket, paving the way for Shane Warne, and was not surpassed until Warne's ascent some 27 years later.

5. He was a modern professional cricketer before his time:
Charismatic with a distinctive style and excellent instincts for public relations.



Richie keeping his eye on the ball.

6. He was a cultural icon:
During his playing days with Brylcreemed hair, his unbuttoned shirt and raised eyebrows. Fellow commentator Bill Lawry said last summer, "He would burst through the gate with the shirt open, the Brylcreem and the tan". "It was just magnificent. Forget the skin cancer, Richie, you looked beautiful back then, don't worry about that," Lawry said.

7. He was a staunch defender of cricket on free-to-air TV:
As such, he ended his English commentary career after the 2005 Ashes when Channel 4 lost the coverage rights to Sky Sports.


Richie Benaud in the modern commentary box.

8. He inspired an entire genre of Australian satire:
"Two hundred and twenty two for two." The 12th Man was based upon his commentary and, of course, the rest of the Nine commentary team. Comedian Billy Birmingham produced eight albums over 22 years from 1984 to 2006, with a global following in the UK, South Africa and New Zealand

9. He was an old-school police reporter.
Unlike a lot of modern sports broadcasters he rose up through the ranks. Richie started his journalistic career at the (now defunct) News of the World in London, as a police roundsman, before moving into sports, and then working his way into radio and TV.

Richie continued calling the game in his later years.

10. He was 1962 Wisden Cricketer of the Year:
The cricketer's bible had this to say at the time, "If one player, more than any other, has deserved well of cricket for lifting the game out of the doldrums, that man is Richard Benaud. Captain of Australia in four successive and triumphant series to the end of 1961, he has demonstrated to enthusiasts all over the world that the intention to make cricket, particularly Test cricket, attractive and absorbing is every bit as important as skilled technique in batting, bowling and fielding. He has succeeded in his aim to re-create interest in cricket because he loves playing it."

[harmony]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-1...d-dead/6009202
.
Richie Benaud's tips for commentating

• Never ask a statement.
• Remember the value of the pause.
• There are no teams in the world called 'we' or 'they'.
• Avoid cliches and banalities, such as 'he's hit that to the boundary', 'he won't want to get out now', 'of course', 'as you can see on the screen'.
• The Titanic was a tragedy, the Ethiopian drought a disaster, and neither bears any relation to a dropped catch.
• Put your brain into gear before opening your mouth.
• Concentrate fiercely at all times.
• Above all, don't take yourself too seriously, and have fun.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1227299132136
(In life, dont expect people to agree with you)
“Now everyone around Australia will have their own ideas on that,” he said, live on air when emotions were still white-hot and confusion was everywhere, “and we always get letters and phone calls about different things that happen, so I don’t expect anyone to agree with me.
“I don’t expect that you’ll get more than 50 per cent agreement on anything"


A distinguished player


Photo: Richie Benaud was first selected as a batsman but became a lauded leg-spinning all-rounder.


http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/richie-benaud-dead-why-he-was-one-of-the-greatest-cricket-captains-20150410-1mi0is.html

Richie Benaud dead: why he was one of the greatest cricket captains

Few in the cricket world have mourned the passing of Richie Benaud after his battle with illness as deeply as his former NSW and Australia teammate - and close friend - Alan Davidson, who can vividly recall the first time they met in a schoolboy match during World War II.

Davidson, aged 85, remembered being a 15-year-old playing for the Northern High Schools XI against City High Schools in 1944 and being pitted against the "little blond head" all-rounder who'd in time become his state and national captain.


Richie Benaud in nets in 1952.


Richie Benaud walks off the oval in 1962.

"I liked that he always had a positive attitude because I was the same - we liked to take the initiative."

Australia's re-emergence as a heavyweight was built on Benaud's captaincy and a willingness by both men to work long and hard in the SCG nets.

Richie's view was the only way you could get accuracy was by bowling, bowling, bowling and working on technique."

Benaud was a captain who didn't expect his players to do what he couldn't but in an age of dour tactics he showed enterprise and courage.
He did such things as send the opposition into bat first - something that was unheard of.
He was happy to set declarations to ensure a result and midway through his final Test series he stood down to allow Bob Simpson the chance to cut his teeth as Australia's captain.

"He was a great assessor of the game," Davidson said. "With Richie it was never a risk but always a calculated decision to do something.

"Nobody ever analysed or knew the opposition like Richie did and it was the same thing with his own team - he knew what every player in the side could do and that allowed for him to make decisions which, to the outsider, who wasn't a cricket expert, seemed 'different'.

"Richie could assess a situation quickly, it wasn't so much waiting for a coach to send a message out because he acted mid-over. I bowled long spells for him on many an occasion ... he was a brilliant captain, a joy to play for - you have no idea."

Under Benaud's reign the Australian team followed a strict conduct of sportsmanship and Davidson noted tantrums and send-offs were not part of that baggy green team's culture.

"He always had the ethics of cricket in his mind," he said. "There was never a scene with any of the players when he was captain. Never any ill-feeling, no bad behaviour.

Whenever a bloke lost his cool and started to carry on Richie said 'that'll be enough' and it stopped immediately

"We had a great team and when you have a brilliant tactician and a man who was always confident, it's not hard to realise why success followed.

"The legacy of the leadership by both captains is the camaraderie is such if we meet the West Indians today we don't shake hands, we bear hug. The mateships continue 55-years later."

Davidson acknowledged Benaud would be missed for many reasons.
He was a great cricketer, a groundbreaking captain, a journalist, commentator, critic, researcher and lifelong student of the noble game.


Richie and Daphne Benaud. Photo: Patrick Riviere



Benaud in 1962

[AHLUNGOR]

I think the summer of cricket on Channel 9 will never be the same again without Richie Benaud's commentary !!

RESPECT !!

[CantCme]

Dude get a life

[harmony]

Bro CantCme
May I repeat your post you made on one of your own threads...

"If you would like to leave good info in reply to my question feel free.
If you want to throw out accusations get off my thread douchebag.
Have a lovely day"


Peace

[harmony]

Richie Benaud, as cricket commentator, gives the Australian Captain a gobful on National television (at the end of the video, 7.50 minutes), following the underarm delivery in 1981

"One of the worst things I have ever seen done on a cricket field"

Most disgraceful moment in the history of cricket
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K65_spUU05s

[WhoMadeWho]

Nice thread Bro Harmony. Not sure about the age range of all bros in here. I grew up watching Richie throughout the summer school holidays and many more years after. I feel like listening to 12th man now lol
R.I.P Richie.

[rcha086]

RIP Richie. I grew out of cricket but was an avid player and spectator when I was at school, and he has a voice that you can instantly recognise, like Ray Warren's commentating in rugby league. Great commentator, great Australian, he will be missed.

[Choc-O-Block]

Hail the Great Man Richie Benaud!
a true legend

[hoofgan]

Summers will not be the same! What a legacy this man created. True professional and a gentleman! RIP Richie!

[fairmont]

Great bloke, great cricketer, great captain and a fantastic commentator. Legend of Aussie cricket from player to commentator. He gave so much for cricket and loved every aspect of it and Australia, we should all model a part of ourselves on Richie, the world would be a better place if we did.

[Travelmate]

Rip..............

[harmony]

A personal eulogy was published in the paper today, and had a really interesting insight into the attitude of the man.
Richie apparently was a very cool relaxed guy, who held things together when most people in life just 'lose it'
No wonder he was so well regarded
Peace.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/new...-1227305267245

Nothing ever fazed him. His guidance and input were paramount.
"Rich" had a saying that he often used: “Stay icy calm.”

Many people under extreme pressure will grunt, yell, curse, die 1000 deaths and live a lifetime in a moment.

But, in moments of extreme pressure, Richie would stay as cool as a cucumber.

That sort of calm is a powerful force.

Rich was the sedative that held the new venture of World Series Cricket together

There’s no way we would have succeeded without his cool wisdom, along with Daphne, his wife and his strong right arm.

If he was ever disappointed in something you did he would give you that whimsical look and, in a slightly higher-decibelled voice, say: “ Ocker, stay icy calm.”

I was probably more familiar with that unsettling look than anybody.

Rich was a gentle man, with a telling, uncompromising, “she’ll be right, folks’’ attitude to everything.


Daphne Benaud hugs Richie's son Jeff Benaud, at the funeral of her husband, Richie Benaud
Picture: Gregg Porteous


As it is in the AUS99 forum, “Stay icy calm”