Richie Benaud was an integral part of the Australian cricket team in the 1950s, setting records with bat and ball while also leading his side to several memorable victories. But as the tributes pouring in following his death on Friday attest, he will most be remembered for his iconic commentary of the sport, which brought the game alive for multiple generations of cricketers and cricket fans, all over the world.
“Forever the voice of our summer,” tweeted Cricket Australia, with the association’s chairman Wally Edwards saying the country lost “a national treasure.”
Australian captain Michael Clarke and coach Darren Lehman — coming off a record fifth World Cup win last month — also expressed heartfelt tributes for Benaud on social media, as did several other past and present members of the team.
The commemorations weren’t just restricted to the Australian cricket fraternity, however.
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Write to Rishi Iyengar at rishi.iyengar@timeasia.com