Editing Richie Benaud (section)

==Media career==
[[File:Richie Benaud.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Richie Benaud during his media career]]
After the 1956 England tour, Benaud stayed behind in London to take a [[BBC]] presenter training course. He took up a journalism position with the ''[[News of the World]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/sport/cricket/interactive/richie.html|title=Explore|publisher=Channel 4|access-date=22 April 2013|archive-date=6 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106145035/http://www.channel4.com/sport/cricket/interactive/richie.html|url-status=live}}</ref> beginning as a police roundsman before becoming a sports columnist. In 1960, he made his first radio commentary in the United Kingdom at the BBC, after which he moved into television.<ref name=muchmore>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/15903158|title=Richie Benaud – much more than a cricket commentator|work=BBC Sport|access-date=10 April 2015|date=10 April 2015|archive-date=24 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924171413/https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/15903158|url-status=live}}</ref>

After retiring from playing in 1964, Benaud turned to full-time cricket journalism and commentary, dividing his time between Britain (where he worked for the BBC for many years before joining [[Channel 4]] in 1999), and Australia (for the [[Nine Network]]). Overall he played in or commentated on approximately 500 [[Test cricket|Test matches]], as he himself noted in one of his final interviews in Britain when asked if he would miss Test cricket.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ecb.co.uk/news/articles/ecb-mourns-passing-richie-benaud|title=ECB mourns passing of Richie Benaud|publisher=[[England and Wales Cricket Board]]|date=10 April 2015|access-date=24 August 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731113244/http://www.ecb.co.uk/news/articles/ecb-mourns-passing-richie-benaud|archive-date=31 July 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

He openly criticised the actions by the Chappell brothers ([[Trevor Chappell|Trevor]] and [[Greg Chappell|Greg]]) in the post-match reaction to the [[underarm bowling incident of 1981]]. He vacated the commentary booth when [[New Zealand cricket team|New Zealand]] was about to clinch a Test victory at [[Lord's]] in 1999, allowing former New Zealand captain-turned-commentator [[Ian Smith (New Zealand cricketer)|Ian Smith]] to call the famous victory of his compatriots.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/syspages/--headline--.html|title=Ian Smith full interview|newspaper=Newshub|date=4 October 2015|via=www.newshub.co.nz|access-date=25 May 2017|archive-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019070228/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/syspages/--headline--.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Some of his other memorable moments he commentated on included Shane Warne's "[[Ball of the Century]]",<ref><span dir="ltr">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y1hI2Tt8F8 |title=SHANE WARNE – THE MIKE GATTING BALL VS ENGLAND 1993 |website=youtube.com |access-date=12 April 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924171404/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y1hI2Tt8F8 |url-status=live }}</span></ref> [[Ian Botham]]'s dominant all-round display during the 1981 Ashes,<ref name="muchmore"/> [[Dennis Lillee]] overtaking Benaud's record for most wickets, and subsequent 300th and 310th wickets, and [[Andrew Symonds]]' tackle on a streaker.<ref><span dir="ltr">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tcAOBbDtfY |title=The Best of Benaud |website=youtube.com |date=14 April 2015 |access-date=20 April 2015 |archive-date=1 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301211812/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tcAOBbDtfY |url-status=live }}</span></ref>

The idea for what became his trademark—wearing a cream or white jacket during live commentary—came from Channel 9 owner [[Kerry Packer]], who suggested the look to help Benaud stand out from the rest of the commentary team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/cricket/the-legend-of-richie-benauds-cream-jacket-began-during-world-series-cricket/story-fnp050m1-1227298992233|work=The Courier Mail|title=The legend of Richie Benaud's cream jacket began during World Series Cricket|first=Robert|last=Craddock|access-date=10 April 2015|archive-date=24 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924171407/https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/cricket/the-legend-of-richie-benauds-cream-jacket-began-during-world-series-cricket/story-fnp050m1-1227298992233?nk=4e56f1cf71a9ae2dd75fdfdd388a0eda-1600967646|url-status=live}}</ref>

He also helped to design a computer-based parody of himself available for download off [[Channel 4]]'s website called "Desktop Richie". It was developed by the software company Turtlez Ltd. Having downloaded this, cricket fans would be treated to live Test match updates and weather reports from a [[cartoon]] version of Benaud with real voice samples such as "Got 'im!" and "That's stumps&nbsp;... and time for a glass of something chilled". On Channel 4's live commentary, Benaud often made sarcastic comments regarding the advertisement of Desktop Richie.<ref name=muchmore/>

In 2004, Benaud starred in a series of television advertisements for the Australian Tourism Commission, aimed at promoting Australia as a tourist destination. Benaud's ad featured him in various scenic locations uttering his signature comment, "Marvellous!".<ref name=smhtourism>{{cite news|title=Australia to see the light on tourism|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/05/18/1084783517363.html|access-date=10 April 2015|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=19 May 2004|archive-date=24 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924171406/https://www.smh.com.au/national/australia-to-see-the-light-on-tourism-20040519-gdiyd0.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It was also emulated by New Zealand broadcaster [[John Campbell (broadcaster)|John Campbell]]. He appeared in ''Richie Benaud's Greatest XI'', a video in which he chooses his own team.<ref name=indyxi>{{cite news|last1=Viner|first1=Brian|title=Benaud's all-time team opens up a can of worms, but imagine watching them play|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/benauds-alltime-team-opens-up-a-can-of-worms-but-imagine-watching-them-play-6162949.html|access-date=10 April 2015|work=The Independent|date=28 August 2004|archive-date=16 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416113540/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/benauds-alltime-team-opens-up-a-can-of-worms-but-imagine-watching-them-play-6162949.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Benaud became a staunch advocate of cricket being available on free-to-view TV. He chose to end his British commentary career, which spanned more than 42 years, when the rights to broadcast live Test match cricket were lost by Channel 4 to the subscription broadcaster [[British Sky Broadcasting]]. Thus, the 2005 [[The Ashes|Ashes]] series was the last that Benaud commentated on in Britain. His final commentary came near the end of the final day of the Fifth Test at [[the Oval]]. His last goodbye was interrupted by [[Glenn McGrath]] taking [[Kevin Pietersen]]'s wicket; Benaud simply wove his description of the dismissal into what he was already saying. Benaud stated he would spend the [[Northern Hemisphere]] summer in Britain writing, and would continue working for the Nine Network in Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1498058/Benaud-declares-with-a-warning-to-cricket.html|title=Benaud declares with a warning to cricket|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=10 April 2015|date=10 September 2005|first=Tom|last=Leonard|archive-date=24 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924171410/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1498058/Benaud-declares-with-a-warning-to-cricket.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Benaud commentated for the BBC TV highlights of the 2006–07 Ashes in Australia as part of his continuing commentary work for Australia's [[Nine Network]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/dec/04/ashes2006.cricket13|work=[[The Guardian]]|title=Got 'im! Yes! Aussie TV stands up for England|access-date=10 April 2015|date=4 December 2006|first=David|last=Hopps|archive-date=24 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924171413/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/dec/04/ashes2006.cricket13|url-status=live}}</ref>

Benaud's distinctive speaking style has been frequently parodied on the Australian comedy series ''[[Comedy Inc. (Australian TV series)|Comedy Inc.]]'' and ''[[The Twelfth Man]]''. In the case of the latter, comedian [[Billy Birmingham]]'s impersonations of Benaud on The Twelfth Man comedy recordings have become very successful, spanning more than twenty years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/comedy/12th-man-billy-birmingham-on-richie-benaud-20150410-1mil8m.html|title=12th Man Billy Birmingham on Richie Benaud|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=10 April 2015|access-date=2 November 2015|archive-date=25 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225021904/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/comedy/12th-man-billy-birmingham-on-richie-benaud-20150410-1mil8m.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Chris Barrie]] of ''[[Red Dwarf]]'' fame incorporated impressions of Benaud into his stand-up repertoire.<ref>{{cite web|last=Barrie|first=Chris|title=Impressions|website=[[YouTube]]|date=20 September 2009 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTPcVypWmLI|access-date=23 December 2012|archive-date=24 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924171414/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTPcVypWmLI|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 18 February 2009, during a radio interview, Benaud announced that he would be retiring from television commentary. Benaud said: "I'll be doing Australian cricket next year—2010—but I don't do any television at all anywhere else now and when I finish next year, then I'll be doing other things&nbsp;... But that'll be no more television commentary".<ref name="Richie Benaud, the voice of Australian cricket to retire ">{{cite news|last=Sangster|first=Tom|title=Richie Benaud retires from all television commentary|newspaper=Daily Telegraph|date=18 February 2009|url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25072860-5001021,00.html|access-date=18 February 2009|archive-date=24 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924171415/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/?nk=b98867496369fe7d93c3e18953dcfc6a-1600967655|url-status=live}}</ref>

It was announced on 15 November 2009, that Benaud had signed a three-year contract with the Nine Network to continue being part of their cricket coverage until 2013, although his role would change from that of ball-by-ball commentary. Benaud said: "I won't be doing live commentary any more." Someone asked me, "Does that mean you'll never again go into the commentary box?", "Well, the answer to that", Benaud replied, "If there is, as there always can be, some emergency or a sensational happening on or off the field where it would be quite ridiculous not to go into the commentary box, of course I'll be in there doing my job and doing it as professionally as I can. But I won't be on the live commentary roster. But I will be doing all sorts of, what I regard as, interesting things for Channel Nine on the cricket—special features on the cricket&nbsp;...". Benaud commentated regularly during the 2011–12 season and was part of Nine's commentating team/roster.<ref name="Richie Benaud signs new three-year deal with Channel Nine">{{cite news|title=Richie Benaud signs new three-year deal with Channel Nine|newspaper=Daily Telegraph|date=15 November 2009|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,28383,26351572-10229,00.html|access-date=15 November 2009|archive-date=16 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091116144146/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,28383,26351572-10229,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref>