LEGENDARY Australian cricketer and commentator Richie Benaud has died in a Sydney hospice this morning. He was 84.
The much-loved face of Channel Nine’s cricket coverage for decades, Benaud had been receiving radiation treatment for skin cancer since November.
He did not feature in Nine’s commentary team during the past two seasons but made an appearance at the network’s season launch in November 2014.
The year before, he suffered complications after crashing his Sunbeam Alpine convertible car on the way home from his regular golf game, suffering a broken sternum as well as shoulder and chest injuries.
He is survived by his wife Daphne.
“It’s obviously really sad and an extremely tough time,” Australian captain Michael Clarke said.
“What he’s done off the field is an amazing example to a lot of sportsmen.”
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has offered the Benaud family a state funeral.
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