The Hindu : Sport : Benaud bids adieu to British TV

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 14, 2005

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Sport

Benaud bids adieu to British TV

LONDON: Richie Benaud's dulcet tones have accompanied telecasts of cricket in Britain for 42 years.

Monday was the last time viewers were greeted by Benaud's cheerful opening refrain of "Morning everyone" ahead of the final's day play in the five-Test Ashes series between England and Australia.

Cricket is moving to satellite broadcaster Sky and Benaud is not moving with it.

Benaud has spent 36 years commentating on cricket for the BBC and the last six with Channel 4, analysing 235 Test matches.

"It's been marvelous," Benaud said while watching England regain the Ashes trophy for the first time since the 1986-87 series.

"Absolutely brilliant," he said. "Here I am 42 years in television and this is the most thrilling test series I've ever seen. I never thought I would say that anything could be more thrilling than 1981 — (England allrounder Ian) Botham's year — but this is. This just shades it."

Learning the ropes

Benaud was Australia captain for 28 of his 63 Tests, between 1952 and 1964, and became the first cricketer to reach 2,000 Test runs and 200 wickets. He never lost a series while captain.

He took a BBC training course for commentators in 1956, began working on BBC Radio in 1960 and moved to television three years later. In between cricket during his early commentating years, he worked overnight police rounds on an Australian newspaper.

"My mantra is: put your brain into gear and if you can add to what's on the screen then do it, otherwise shut up," Benaud said.

Everyone loves Benaud. On Monday, young women during the final Ashes test at The Oval held up a sign that said "We (heart) Richie Benaud." During an afternoon drinks break, the crowd stood up to chant: "There's only one Richie Benaud."

"Understatement is what Richie's success behind the microphone has been all about," former England captain Michael Atherton said. "As a result, he has become the cricket viewer's favourite friend and companion in the summer months."

Benaud is also delighted with the state of cricket.

"The last two years have been the best I've watched and commented on in 57 years," Benaud said. "The most exciting, skilful, and with wonderful fielding."

Benaud said he lived by his mother's advice of "Do your best but don't take yourself too seriously." His mother Rene recently turned 100.

Benaud will continue to commentate in Australia on Channel Nine, where he's been working for 28 years. — AP

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