Richie Benaud 84 out

[Hugh Manatee]

Not much to be added. As a cricket fan Richie added so much to my enjoyment of the game. I believe he only commentated on free to air channels and never chased the corporate dollar.

He will be missed.

 

[SteCenturion]

Fabulous gentlemen, scholar & commentator...

A world class authority on the game & IMO, out of the 6 or 7 sports commentators I can think of as outstanding in their field, he was in the top 3.

 

[Cyclist33]

Blimey this thread is like sitting in a pub with a bunch of auld phaarts.

 

[Cheddar George]

Blimey this thread is like sitting in a pub with a bunch of auld phaarts.

Yup, and you would be the young whippersnapper spending all night on the fruit machine drinking fizzy pish and trying to persuade the landlord to get a big telly and Sky sports.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

Yup, and you would be the young whippersnapper spending all night on the fruit machine drinking fizzy pish and trying to persuade the landlord to get a big telly and Sky sports.

So he can watch the Cricket?

 

[Cheddar George]

So he can watch the Cricket?

Yeah but only the 20/20 stuff. He doesn't know what "proper cricket" is .

 

[Cyclist33]

Yup, and you would be the young whippersnapper spending all night on the fruit machine drinking fizzy pish and trying to persuade the landlord to get a big telly and Sky sports.

Perhaps... I certainly wouldn't be perched bluffly attempting to show the world I had a conscience and a knowledge of current sporting affairs, as I don't feel the need to prove my humanity.

 

[Cheddar George]

Perhaps... I certainly wouldn't be perched bluffly attempting to show the world I had a conscience and a knowledge of current sporting affairs, as I don't feel the need to prove my humanity.

But that's what they built pubs for, to talk about sport and how good the old days were. Sometimes the two combine which is enough to keep us nursing half a pint until closing time.

 

[Cyclist33]

But that's what they built pubs for, to talk about sport and how good the old days were. Sometimes the two combine which is enough to keep us nursing half a pint until closing time.

I'm pretty sure that's not what they built t' interwebs for, though.

 

[Cheddar George]

I'm pretty sure that's not what they built t' interwebs for, though.

True enough, if Tim Berners Lee looked in on a football fan forum he would probably wish he had been a locksmith instead.

 

[Dayvo]

His spirit lives on - howzat!

 

[raleighnut]

According to Frances Edmonds (Phil Edmonds wife) " Cricket is a game best watched through the meniscus of a large gin & tonic"
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...mGd6_CmHN0eJybPFXq5k-3w&bvm=bv.90491159,d.d24

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Loved listening to his commentary, spoke when speech was required and silent when no words were needed.
Rory Bremner held him in high regard:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02nvnq8

 

[Pale Rider]

According to Frances Edmonds (Phil Edmonds wife) " Cricket is a game best watched through the meniscus of a large gin & tonic"
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCIQFjAA&url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Another-Bloody-Tour-Frances-Edmonds/dp/B001ONCIN4&ei=SwwoVfnyJ4GyUMj9gagB&usg=AFQjCNF52mzmGd6_CmHN0eJybPFXq5k-3w&bvm=bv.90491159,d.d24

Off topic, but Phil Edmonds once said about the average first class cricket dressing room: "In the land of the CSE, the O level is king."

 

[swee'pea99]

There are very, very few commentators who have said things I remember for more than a minute.

Benaud is one of them.

A batsman walloped one of the Aussie bowlers for six using a stroke that won't appear in any coaching manual.

Benaud paused for a second or two, then with no emphasis said: "Whacko."

Dry, under stated, perfect timing - just brilliant.

I can just imagine that. Perfect. As Mad Doug says, along with Bill McLaren, just in a class of his own. Woven through my growing up. Nothing's been the same since he & McLaren stopped commentating. Or I suspect ever will be. RIP.