Richie Benaud Announced his Retirement | Australian Cricketer

Richie Benaud

Australian Great Richie Benaud has announced he will retire from television commentary next year.

Benaud was the first man to complete the Test double of 2,000 runs and 200 wickets. He remains one of only 10 Australians to have scored more than 10,000 runs and taken over 500 wickets in first-class cricket.

Benaud was appointed captain of Australia in 1958, and claimed 248 wickets in 63 Tests, while hitting three centuries.But he won greatest acclaim for his bold captaincy, leading Australia to Ashes series wins in 1958-59, 1961 and 1962-63 and never losing a series as skipper. Richie­ retired at a young age early smart move, getting­ out while you're still on top of your game

Benaud began his broadcasting career on BBC Radio in 1960 and then moved across to BBC Television three years later. He has been working for Australia's Nine network since 1977.

Benaud, 78, told Sydney radio 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,"