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Richie Benaud signals TV retirement

The legendary sports commentator says he will conclude TV engagements at the end of 2010.

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benaudLegendary cricketing commentator Richie Benaud has announced he will finish his television commitments at the end of 2010.

In a radio interview today on 2GB, Benaud indicated his contract with Nine was up next year and there would be no more television commentary thereafter.

“When you get a season like we’ve just had that is absolutely terrific,” he said.

“I don’t do any television at all anywhere else now, and when I finish next year then I’ll be doing other things. But that’ll be no more television commentary.”

The commentator with distinctive voice began work in television after retiring from an illustrious playing career in 1964.

Source: news.com.au

7 Responses

  1. Yes Richie has really suffered with the recent innovation of the 3 man commentary box. Used to be 2. Now Nine has to fit Healy, Taylor, Nicholas, Warne (when available), Gilchrist and Slater in the box somehow along with the old stagers Ian Chappell, Tony Greig and Bill Lawry – and poor Richie of course. They all drown out the more reserved Richie. And there is no room for any international experts – like NZs Ian Smith, or Michael Holding for West Indies.

  2. I agree with Zambora. If you look at other cricketing commentary teams around the world, they feature commentators from both countries that are competing. The last Australian tour of India featured 6 commentators (3 Indians, 3 Australians). Even TEN said they would have a female commentator for the NAB cup. What will be interesting is what comes out of next month’s Women’s World Cup on Fox Sports.

  3. Might be right time to “put line through most of Nine’s commentary team at same time – they are getting out of date and it is like Aussie cricket team – just another boys club.

  6. It will indeed be a sad day when this great man retires. Having turned 78 in October, in my opinion, he is still as sharp and witty as ever. I once heard a few years ago that he has either watched, played in or commentated on one third of all test matches ever played!

  7. This will hit one person really hard.

    Billy Birmingham, aka the 12th Man.

    Come on, release a “Richie’s Farewell” album, and end the 12th Man series on a high note, just like Richie will at the end of the 2009-10 season (who’s scheduled to come down under for next summer’s cricket, anyway?).

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