SYDNEY: Former Australian captain Richie Benaud, whose peerless commentary made him the beloved "voice of cricket" to fans around the world following a scintillating on-field career, has died aged 84.
Benaud, one of Australia's most influential cricketers and leading television commentators, died peacefully overnight in his sleep, Channel Nine announced Friday.
He had been fighting skin cancer and suffered serious injury in a car accident in late 2013.
"A sad day for Australia," tweeted Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who offered a state funeral to Benaud's family and ordered flags to fly at half-mast when he is laid to rest.
"We have lost a cricketing champion and Australian icon. What an innings. RIP Richie Benaud."
Benaud last captained Australia against South Africa in the 1963-64 series and went on to become a legend as one of cricket's best known characters and broadcasters.
The veteran of 63 Test matches was the first player to score 2,000 Test runs and take 200 Test wickets.
Australia never lost a series under the leg-spinning all-rounder's attacking captaincy, which ran for 28 games from 1958.
Benaud moved into commentary, first with the BBC in England, where he was as well known as in Australia for his dry wit and economical style.
"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, looking back at his success.
"The key thing was to learn the value of economy with words and to never insult the viewer by telling them what they can already see."
He could also turn a vivid phrase and was inspired by Ian Botham's six off Terry Alderman during the 1981 Ashes Test at Headingley, part of one of the greatest cricket series ever.
"Don't bother looking for that, let alone chasing it," Benaud commentated. "It's gone straight into the confectionery stall and out again."
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