“Cricket has so many meanings to so many Australians. It’s become precisely that – an Australian way of life. And what a life it is. Some would even go as far as to say, ‘marvellous’. – Richie Benaud
Arguably Australian cricket’s most influential player and personality in the post-war era, Richie Benaud’s legacy is writ large on the game he loved and on the Bradman Museum.
A mightily successful all-rounder, Benaud’s on-field presence was particularly impressive. A leg-spinning all-rounder, he bowled with guile and was an enterprising batter – accumulating more than 2,000 Test runs and just shy of 250 wickets. That said, it was as a leader that he truly left a legacy; endearing himself to teammates, opponents and generations of cricket-lovers alike.
Richie and Sir Donald became close friends through their love of cricket
Leading Australia in 28 Tests, he lost only four at the helm. Creating a sense of unity in the Australian dressing room, Gideon Haigh describes his leadership style as “cool but communicative.” Tactically unparalleled, Haigh also contends Benaud “impressed as one to whom no event was unexpected, no contingency unplanned for.” This kind of imaginative captaincy, along with his friendly co-operation facilitated the thrilling 1960/61 series between Australia and the West Indies; capturing the imagination of the cricketing world, Sir Donald proclaimed to Benaud, “that’s (the series) the greatest thing that’s ever happened to the game.”
Awarded an OBE for services to cricket in 1962, Benaud would retire from the game two years later, but his service to the game would continue for another five decades.
Crucial in the establishment of World Series Cricket, he was the first person who Kerry Packer sought as a consultant in 1977. Balancing cricket’s revolution with its rich heritage, Benaud’s involvement gave Packer and his project a good deal of respectability, allowing it to flourish – changing the game – and its broadcast forever in the process.
To that end, Benaud became one of the most respected journalists and commentators in the history of cricket. Informative, concise and authoritative, he was famous for never using two words when just one would suffice. Heading the Channel 9 cricket broadcast, Benaud was a welcome guest in Australian living rooms for many years, earning the mantle as ‘the voice of cricket.’
Richie with staff at the Bradman Museum
A close personal friend of Sir Donald, Benaud was the perfect man to head up the Foundation named in his honour. Accepting the invitation to become Patron of the Bradman Foundation in late 2002, Benaud would go on to leave an indelible legacy on the Foundation and the Bradman Museum in Bowral. Central to his vision was that the Museum place primacy on the people and eras that had “changed the game and aided its growth.” Consequently, he headed a panel to select and celebrate the Greats of the Game. Additionally, he oversaw the induction of Bradman Honourees at the annual Bradman Gala Dinner – since the program’s inception in 2006.
At the 2010 Bradman Gala Dinner
For all that he contributed to cricket and to the Bradman Foundation, Benaud was posthumously named a Bradman Honouree at the Gala Dinner at the end of 2015, following his passing in April.
Loved right around the world, Richie Benaud is a cricketing icon, who will be fondly remembered as long as the game is played.
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