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Richie evolved along with the game

Shane Watson remembers the 'voice of cricket' and the advice he gave him as a young cricketer

It’s extremely sad to think we’ll never hear Richie Benaud’s voice calling the cricket anymore.

Waking up to the sorry news that Richie had passed, my thoughts travelled back to my childhood where it was Richie’s voice I’d hear as I watched Australia play summer after summer on the family television.

It’s surreal to think back then when I was watching and listening to the Channel Nine commentary team that would one day Richie, Bill and the crew would be calling the action on my teammates and I.

Despite always wanting to play for Australia and wear the Baggy Green like all my heroes had before me, I never thought someone as iconic as Richie would be commentating when I first started playing international cricket.

And whether the comments were good or bad, Richie’s carefully selected words carried more meaning such was his knowledge, experience and respect for the game. 

Watch: Warner and Clarke pay tribute to Richie

What separated Richie was that he always seemed to move with the evolution of the game.

His thoughts, comments and observations were always current, which was incredible for someone who played during the 1950s and 60s.

And with Richie, a lot of the time it wasn’t what he said but what he didn’t say.

He didn’t have to say any more than the necessary to get his point across, which itself is an incredible skill and talent.

Richie is the second legend we’ve lost in the last couple of years in the commentary box, after Tony Greig passed away a few years ago.

I know the boys in the dressing room over the years have loved listening to their commentary, and we’ve all tried to imitate the commentators like Billy Birmingham does in the 12th man series.

I’m the first to put my hand up and say my impersonation of Richie was very poor, but a certain leg-spinner thought he was pretty good.

Warnie would often pull out the ‘2-22’ whenever the situation presented itself, and it’s probably no surprise he thought he nailed it.

Warnie would also do a good Tony Greig, and that one was a lot closer to the mark.The Australian cricket team, in fact any team I’ve been involved with, loved it when Richie was in and around the group.

He carried an aura that’s hard to describe, but everyone could feel the great man’s presence when he was around.

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Watson winning the Don Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year in 2002 // Getty Images

In 2002, I was lucky enough to be awarded the Don Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year Award at the Allan Border Medal awards night, and Richie was on hand to present the trophy.

He told me that as an allrounder you need to be patient, that allrounders take time to develop all their skills and to allow yourself time to develop the two skills.

When they come together it’s great for an allrounder to have both aspects to contribute to the team, and they’re words that have never left me.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Daphne and the Benaud family, and I hope as Australians we can continue to play the type of aggressive, entertaining cricket Richie was known for and loved to call.

Rest in peace Richie, you will be sorely missed.