Richie Benaud’s death: Cricket has lost an important link with the pristine past

“And Glenn McGrath dismissed for two, just ninety-eight runs short of his century,” stated Richie Benaud at the fall of the last Australian wicket. There were a million ways in which the veteran could’ve described the dismissal; but he chose the best. A bit of wit, a bit of unexpected words peppered around, Benaud made commentary an art that would complete the action on field.

He was prudent with his usage of words, often letting the action on field take over, if that best suited the coverage. He was slow, but intelligent, witty and most importantly gripping. He lent his voice to nearly 500 Tests spanning over five decades, making him synonymous with the game.

For long the action in Australia wouldn’t start without the co-commentator greeting Benaud, who in return would appreciate the weather like only he could. Be it on television of video games, Benaud’s commentary completed cricket.

He believed in brevity and not stating the obvious. He made sure that words were precious and used them effectively. “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,” he would say. His death came at a time when commentary is used up as advertising space, at a time when there is an abusive dismissal of the art form in the loud and glittery happenings of T20 cricket.

The fact that a very fine cricket career is overshadowed by his commentary stint is in itself the greatest tribute that could be paid to the legend. As a player, he is one of the finest spinners and all-rounders ever produced by Australia. What has often remained lesser-spoken about his career was the fact that he was one of the greatest captains from Australia and arguably the most aggressive one ever in the world.

In the 28 Test matches that he led, he took Australia to win in 12 of those encounters, losing just four. He never lost a series as captain. Above all, he revolutionised cricket when it was dying. He brought back the crowds and pulled in the media to take interest in the sport. He played to win and would risk a defeat even if he could sense the unlikeliest of victories.

The historic tied Test at Brisbane was courtesy an extremely bold decision by him to go for a win with 124 runs needed off just 120 minutes with the last four wickets left. He put up a spectacle as a player and a captain, much like what he went on to do as a commentator for years to come.

He continued to reinvent himself and make the sport more exciting, every time being prepared to go on duty. He didn’t like leaving loopholes in his work and took great pride in his profession. For his extremely smart cricketing brain and ability to connect a cord with the cricket fans across the world, Kerry Packer sought his services while starting out with the World Series cricket (WSC).

He mentored Ian Chappell in the commentary box and Shane Warne openly admitted to have looked up to him as a player. His aura stood tall even amidst the legendary exploits of the two. In what remains as one of the finest tributes written on Benaud is Gideon Haigh’s line, “Guru to Ian Chappell and Shane Warne among others, he is perhaps the most influential cricketer and cricket personality since the Second World War.”

He made cricket look timeless and visuals incomplete without words. It would be an understatement to say so, but nothing befits the man more; his contribution to the game cricket was indeed a ‘marvelous effort’

Richie Benaud was a venerated figure in cricket — as a player, thinker and a commentator. The game has lost an important link with a pristine past.

(Aayush Puthran is currently a reporter with India.com. He has previously worked as a cricket journalist with CricketCountry and as an Associate Producer with Sony Six. Mercurially jovial, pseudo pompous, perpetually curious and occasionally confused, he is always up for a light-hearted chat over a few cups of filter kaapi!)