The voice of cricket, Richie Benaud, may spend the summer calling Australian Tests from home.
Having missed the entirety of last summer’s Ashes series after sustaining serious chest and shoulder injuries in a car accident, the former Australian captain may look to resume his commentary duties from the sanctuary of his own living room.
According to Channel Nine chief executive David Gyngell, Benaud has an offer to call Australia’s upcoming schedule far away from the action with the 83-year-old hopefully in line to join the crew to call December’s four-Test series between Australia and India.
“That’s what I’ve put to him,” said Gyngell, who once called Benaud “a national treasure”.
“If he’s not up to calling from the ground this summer, I’d like him to call from home. He’d be the ultimate armchair caller from the couch, wouldn’t he?
“I’d prefer to have him calling at the ground, but I would say that will be difficult. If I have my way, he will be calling it from his home but it is completely his decision.”
Benaud missed out on being honoured at the Sydney Cricket Ground this week when he was unveiled as the first member among 15 broadcasters and reporters to be inducted into the SCG media hall of honour.
Benaud has covered cricket full-time since retiring in 1964, working at Nine since 1977.
Photo: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
