Former Australia captain and expert commentator will have a private service this week
Benaud family declines state funeral
The family of the late Richie Benaud has declined a state funeral proposed by Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
Mr Abbott said the offer was a mark of respect for a man who meant so much to millions of people in Australia and the world.
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But a phone call from Benaud’s widow Daphne yesterday kindly declined the PM’s proposal.
"My understanding is that Richie's own wishes was for something very, very quiet and very, very private," Abbott told the press in Canberra today.
Benaud, veteran of 63 Tests as a player and captain and hundreds more as one of the most respected and revered commentators, passed away in Sydney aged 84 on Friday.
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