We interrupt this program to bring you an important announcement. Richie Benaud is dead.
The news no Australian wanted to hear rang true this morning, fittingly while most of us were listening to the commentary of another iconic sporting event.
And yes, it’s a long bow to draw a link between cricket and surfing, but Richie’s short sharp snatches of brilliance ingrained itself into the psyche of every Australian who ever turned on the TV.
Doubt it? Mention the phrase “that’s two for two” at a barbecue anywhere in the world and wait for the head of the lone Aussie to pop up like a meerkat on the African plains.
And what dull moment has ever not been brightened with a simple “Welcome back to the MCG”.
The shock of perfectly coifed white hair, the ensemble of off white jackets and the sense of humour as dry as the Australian outback itself.
His ability to pare down a passage of play with no more than a few well-placed adjectives would slow the collective blood pressure of Australians every summer.
His voice was quite simply, the soundtrack of our summer. He said it best, when he said nothing at all.
“Captaincy is 90 per cent luck and 10 per cent skill. But don’t try it without that 10 per cent.”
Long live the King.
