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| source: abc.net.au |
Richie Benaud was the embodiment of Australian sporting
culture. A champion of the game of cricket during his paying career and a
champion for the game in the commentary box.
The voice of summer.
He was respected and loved by everyone from MCC Members, to
the last drunken yobbo I the outer, Ritchie Benaud was cricket.
I did not see him play but his record shows he changed the
game as an aggressive all rounder and extraordinarily successful captain.
Leading the on-air commentary of World Series Cricket he told the world about
the biggest changes in the history of the sport.
It was Benaud’s dulcet tones that brought limited-overs
cricket to the world, explaining the rules and nuances of the game to everyone.
With perpetual debates about “what is Australian culture?”
One simple answer is “Richie Benaud”. Hard working, loves summer, loves sport,
fiercely competitive on the field, a great mate off it, with a great sense of
humour.
Richie has won many awards for his playing and broadcasting
around the world. The greatest accolade is that he is known the everywhere as
“Richie”. Before PR managers, personal brands, and social media he was known
simply as Richie. He was everyone’s mate.
To his wife Daphne, I want to thankyou for graciously
sharing Richie with the world for more than 60 years.
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