Richie Benaud given private farewell by family and friends

 Former Australia cricket captain and legendary broadcaster Richie Benaud, who died last week at the age of 84, has been given a quiet farewell by his family and friends in a private ceremony in Sydney.

The renowned commentator was laid to rest on Wednesday at a small service, led by former team mate Brian Booth, in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

According to News.com.au, his family described Benaud in a memorial booklet as a 'special person who means so much to each of us in many different ways'.

Moreover, various cricketing luminaries, such as Shane Warne, Bill Lawry, Ian Chappell and Mark Taylor, along with current captain Michael Clarke, had come together to attend a larger memorial function at the Australian Golf Club in Rosebery later in the day.

Earlier in the week, the family of Benaud had declined Prime Minister Tony Abbott's offer of a state funeral, stating that the late cricketer's own wish was to have a quiet and private ceremony.