Legendary cricket commentator Richie Benaud announced on Wednesday he will retire next year, ending almost half-a-century of broadcasting which made him an icon in the sport.
”I’ll be doing Australian cricket next year, 2010, but I don’t do any television at all anywhere else now and when I finish next year, then I’ll be doing other things,” Benaud (78) told local radio.
”That’ll be no more television commentary.”
The former Australian captain has worked in the commentary box since retiring from Test cricket in 1964, appearing extensively on Australian and British television.
Famed for his bowl haircut, beige jackets and engaging commentary, Benaud hung up the microphone for British television following the 2005 Ashes.
He received a standing ovation by the crowd at Lord’s after completing his final commentary stint there that September.
Such has been the longevity of Benaud’s broadcasting career, some viewers are unaware of his achievements as a cricketer.
Benaud was appointed captain of Australia in 1958, and claimed 248 wickets in 63 Tests, hitting three centuries.
A leg-spinning all-rounder, he was the first man to complete the Test double of 2 000 runs and 200 wickets.
But he won greatest acclaim for his bold captaincy, leading Australia to Ashes series wins in 1958-59, 1961 and 1962-63 and never losing a series as skipper.
Benaud also became a columnist with the News of the World tabloid, Britain’s biggest-selling Sunday newspaper, working more than 40 years on the title.
He was also a key adviser to Nine network chief Kerry Packer when he formed his breakaway World Series Cricket organisation in the late 1970s. — Sapa-AFP