View Full Version : Richie sets retirement date
Mr_Smooth
18 Feb 2009, 15:49
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25072942-421,00.html
Australia's voice of cricket Richie Benaud to retire from all commentary
By Tom Sangster
The Daily Telegraph
February 18, 2009 04:50pm
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http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,6492588,00.jpg Signing off ... Richie Benaud, the voice of cricket in Australia for nearly half a century, will retire from all cricket commentary.
Let's slip intentions in a radio interview
Finishing at end of 2010 season
Famous for his witty remarks
RICHIE Benaud, the voice of cricket in Australia for nearly half a century, has revealed his intention to retire from all cricket commentary.
Benaud let the revelation slip in a radio interview with 2GB’s Chris Smith today.
Benaud said: "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.
"But that’ll be no more television commentary."
Listen to the interview here. (http://media.dailytelegraph.com.au/multimedia/mediaplayer/index.html?id=1213)
Benaud began work in television after retiring from an illustrious playing career in 1964.
He worked extensively for Channel 9 in Australia, as well as the BBC and Channel 4 in the UK.
Famous for his beige jackets and witty remarks, Benaud retired from English commentary after the infamous Ashes series of 2005.
pinkus maximus
18 Feb 2009, 15:52
I think he said a while ago that this would be his last contract
Cousin Jed
18 Feb 2009, 15:58
I think he retired about 3 years ago
Costanza_
18 Feb 2009, 15:58
Looking foward to seeing him go around one last season. Will be a very sad day when he signs off for the last time.
The last stand of cricket commentary will soon be gone:(. It will now just become a commentary box with a dressing room mentality with the likes of Taylor, Slater, Healy, Gilly and which ever other former Australian player they can pluck out of the air. Trust me, one or two former modern Aussie players is fine, but to have 3/4 of the commentary box full of them is just not right. I really hope there is a worthy successor to the greatest commentator of our times.
krisholio14
18 Feb 2009, 16:02
Will be a fine end to a marvellous knock :thumbsu:
Richie Benaud gone for 122, the score is now 2 for 222 =D
The 12th Man must be thinking about what he can do now.
Mr_Smooth
18 Feb 2009, 16:25
The 12th Man must be thinking about what he can do now.
i'm sure he's rubbing his hands together in anticipation
it's been a few years now, must be due for a new recording..
OzBomber
18 Feb 2009, 16:36
The 12th Man must be thinking about what he can do now.
Another final dig? Mike Walker must be rubbing his hands. ;)
Probably a great time to hang up the mic. An absolutely brilliant stint.
Great commentator, and very enjoyable to listen to.
Super career that. Really marvellous stuff.
Yup surely there HAS to be another final dig. Would be good to see Billy Birmingham making a cameo in the actual commentary box in the last test or something!
OzBomber
18 Feb 2009, 16:49
Super career that. Really marvellous stuff.
Yup surely there HAS to be another final dig. Would be good to see Billy Birmingham making a cameo in the actual commentary box in the last test or something!I don't think that Ritchie actually likes Billy that much. I think he has a thing against Billy using a lot of profanities in his recordings.
Would be good to see Billy Birmingham making a cameo in the actual commentary box in the last test or something!
Pretty sure that will not happen as I think Ritchie hates him. Bill and Tony I've heard just think it's a bit of laugh but I suppose he doesn't get quite as personal with them..
damochandler
18 Feb 2009, 16:57
all good things come to an end. he has been their a bit to long imo. phantom is next and chappell isnt to far behind i would say
1 down,only 6 or 7 more hasbeens to go from the Nein commentary box.Sorry Richie but you went on about 2 or 3 years too long and just became an annoying old fart like Greig,Chappell,Taylor and co
Good riddance
Richie has a problem with thelanguage the 12th man uses but has no problem with the actual concept. Ian Chappel is the one with a real problem with him IIRC. Bill and Tony realise it's added an extra 0 or two onto their price as after dinner speakers.
Even if the 12th man isn't apart of it (Somethig I agree is unlikely), it would be great for some channel 9 ex commentators to be involved and seeing as you'd think 9 will milk this for all it's worth all summer, I don't think that's an unrealistic chance.
Macca19
18 Feb 2009, 17:06
Say it isnt so :(
Great innings Richie! Will miss his sly remarks and anecdotes.
The greatest commentator Australia ever had. A great man, on the field and off it.
1 down,only 6 or 7 more hasbeens to go from the Nein commentary box.Sorry Richie but you went on about 2 or 3 years too long and just became an annoying old fart like Greig,Chappell,Taylor and co
Good riddance
Hmm, well i've found his contributions to the box this summer more valuable than anything Gilly, Slater ("Warnerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr"), Taylor, Greig, Warne, Chappell AND Nicholas combined.
rupert pupkin 87
18 Feb 2009, 17:29
The greatest commentator Cricket ever had. A great man, on the field and off it.
Fixed.
Truly a sad day. Hopefully Bill sticks around for a while. Richie, Bill and Tony are the only characters left in the box. All these current players they keep putting in there are as interesting as listening to paint dry.
emperor
18 Feb 2009, 17:46
And the big fella isn't around anymore to pull a few strings and "convince" Richie to stay on for one final dig :D
All time legend of the game. Atriculate, concise, great knowledge of the game, and and a razor sharp wit that has been underestimated for many years.
"Jones...... Bowden...... Kasprowicz......"
Cannot think of many other media commentators so well known, respected and synonymous with their chosen sports.
** Still thinking **
John Madden is the only one that comes to mind.
OzBomber
18 Feb 2009, 19:52
Billy Birmingham doing all the voices on FSN. :D
Bit of Mike, bit of Tony, bit of Bill.
He says he'll be out of a job now. I hope there's one last 12th Man.
Admiral Afterworld
18 Feb 2009, 21:47
He's been past it for a while.
macca_1990
18 Feb 2009, 22:02
It is going to be very strange without the Great Man, it's gonna put a fair dent in the credibility of Nine's commentary team. :(
They should drop Tony Greig and Mark Nicholas, while the transition period occurs. Seriously Greiggy is only there for his Memorabilia (Limited Edition of 500 copies!!) and Mark Nicholas is an ex county cricketer, who calls the player's partners CRUMPET!
But, well played Richie, end of a marvellous dig, full of shuper strokes!
Johnson#26
19 Feb 2009, 06:55
No way - this is the worst summer to bow out in, vs the Windies and Pakistan.
Hang on for one more after that, Richie, and finish up during the Ashes!
King Elvis
19 Feb 2009, 08:51
The last stand of cricket commentary will soon be gone:(. It will now just become a commentary box with a dressing room mentality with the likes of Taylor, Slater, Healy, Gilly and which ever other former Australian player they can pluck out of the air. Trust me, one or two former modern Aussie players is fine, but to have 3/4 of the commentary box full of them is just not right. I really hope there is a worthy successor to the greatest commentator of our times.
So 3/4 of the current commentary team aren't ex-Australian Test Cricketers :confused:
The Dice Man
19 Feb 2009, 09:19
Cue: Sir Richie Benaud.
ManWithNoName
19 Feb 2009, 09:56
So 3/4 of the current commentary team aren't ex-Australian Test Cricketers :confused:
"Modern" test players.
Mr_Smooth
19 Feb 2009, 11:01
Cue: Sir Richie Benaud.
i don't think they give out knighthoods for services to sport anymore :(
Martyn_30_
19 Feb 2009, 11:05
The last few years hes barely said a word, the only things he says are the same couple of stories from 40-50 years ago why would he bother going around next summer aswell.
HawkieTalkie
19 Feb 2009, 15:40
Nine's "third wheel" commentary roster means that ultimately Richie would APPEAR to be past it. Truth be told, he can hardly get a bloody word in!
When you think of other commentary partnerships like, for example, Martin Tyler and Andy Gray in Football or even John Casey and Steve Carfino in basketball, they tend to work a bit better.
Considering they are only half hour stints in cricket tv commentary anyway, I reckon Mr Benaud has been well and truly screwed over.
To Me, Richie is the perfect cricket commentator - ho hyberpole, no whinging or criticising, no "better in my day" stuff. And particulalry sharp in the humour department!
Yeah, good call HT :thumbsu:
courtjester
19 Feb 2009, 17:17
The last few years hes barely said a word, the only things he says are the same couple of stories from 40-50 years ago why would he bother going around next summer aswell.
Great post tool. Or is that spelt "troll"?
DoubleO7
19 Feb 2009, 17:23
1964 - 2010
Goodnight, Sweet Prince
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/03_01/BenaudGetty_228x268.jpg
Was anyone listening to SEN this morning? They were talking about Richie's replacement, and Tangles from Melbourne called in and asked for his job back - hillarious stuff. I get a call later on and find out it was my cousin too.
But on topic, Richie is one of the all time greats, wasn't as great as he used to be in the last few years but still not the worst and still the greatest commentator of all time.
As the 12th Man said, "Do the words living legend and do-yen mean anything to you?"
RIP Richie's career!
Johnson#26
20 Feb 2009, 09:01
That's gold re Maxy Walker. :p
The 12th Man needs to rise to the occasion once more next summer. :D