SCG's Benaud brigade honour fallen leader

Richie Benaud's legion of devotees, 'The Richies' who fill the SCG stands each summer clad in Benaud look-a-like garb, have paid tribute to their hero and called on cricket fans to fill the SCG with cream-coloured jackets next summer.

Comedian Billy Birmingham, who's parody work of Benaud and the Wide World of Sports commentary team as The 12th Man turned Benaud into a cult hero and pop icon, said he was "quite nauseous, actually" and "disorientated" at the news of Benaud's passing, age 84.

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"He meant a lot to us, it's devastating news," said Michael Hennessey, one of the foundation Richie members.

"Even for people who didn't get a chance to meet him, everyone felt they knew him.

"There's a real sense of loss for everyone."

The Richies have become an iconic part of the SCG Test. In January, more than 350 people paid homage to the commentary legend with grey wigs, beige jackets and fake Channel Nine microphones.

Fortunate enough to meet Benaud on several occasions, Hennessey recalled his first encounter with the former Australia captain at a photo shoot on Bondi Beach several years ago.

"We were spellbound. We had a bit of a chat to him before and after and he was quite curious about what we did outside of dressing up as him, what we did in our day-to-day lives," Hennessey said.

"Once he got talking he just came to life, it was amazing.

"He was telling us stories about a South Africa tour and one time he was away on an Ashes tour.

"Hearing him talk about cricket was amazing."

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While Benaud never let on exactly how he felt about hundreds of people dressing up in his likeness, Hennessey said he felt the sentiment was appreciated.

"I'm curious to know exactly what he thought.

"At first I think he thought we were a little silly and a few guys in the commentary box gave him a bit of ribbing, but because we continued each year I think he started to appreciate the sentiment and the compliment of us paying our respects to him like that."

In January, The Richies met their hero again at an Australia Day barbeque.

"Richie was asking how we were going, comparing our wigs to his hair and taking the mickey out of himself."

Richie Benaud and a few friends gather for a barbeque

Hennessey and nine friends founded The Richies in 2010 when they thought Benaud could be on the verge of retirement.

"We wanted to show our respects," he said. "We'd loved Richie for years."

What began as a small group of friends has since spiralled into a major moment.

Hennessy said the group was committed to its goal of filling an entire bay of the SCG – more than 700 seats – with Richies next summer.

"Our goal has been to make day two Richie Benaud Day and we'd love everyone to wear cream, so we'll continue in that endeavour.

"I think everyone will make an extra effort to try and fill that bay with cream."

Birmingham's The 12th Man albums catapulted Channel Nine's cricket commentators into popular culture 30 years ago, making them an iconic part of an Australian summer.

The comedian said was hard to put into words how he felt about Benaud's passing.

"Very sad. Quite nauseous, actually. Struggling to find the right words. Disoriented," Birmingham wrote on his website.

"I know I won't be alone in feeling this way. Richie has occupied a special place in our homes and our hearts for decades."

Birmingham said while Benaud had some reservations about his 12th Man work, "he couldn't fail to see how the 12th Man albums were transforming him into a cult hero".

"In the early days, I would send Richie a copy of each album upon release, figuring that attack was the best form of defence," Birmingham said.

"He would write me letters in response, on that beautifully embossed 'Benaud & Associates' letterhead of his, critiquing my work like it was a bloody Broadway stage production!"

Those critiques included concerns about the amount of swearing and the accuracy of Birmingham's Ian Chappell impersonation.

"It's hard to imagine there is another Australian out there as universally loved as Richie," Birmingham said.

"It was a kind of affection that isn't conditional on cricketing skills or commentary work. People just adored the man."