[cricket] tim's quick sketch of richie benaud

Tim de Lisle says: Cricinfo held an opinion poll asking readers to name their dream commentary team and the runaway first choice, at 74, was Richie Benaud [10,000 votes from 12,000]. Benaud is the Bradman of the microphone and when he says “Morning everyone”, he is merely addressing his fan club. He never forgets the pictures are the thing and that his job is to add to them, not tell us what we can already see and he uses silence like a dot ball. He insists Test cricket has been more entertaining than ever in the past two years and he should know. Crisp, succinct and unobtrusive, he is proof that less is more even when it’s out of fashion. In a sports culture that increasingly runs on hype, Richie never gets overheated. Jansev Jemal said: “Richie Benaud [is] a legend and I wish he was my grandad.” “I hope they legalise cloning,” wrote Neil Marshall. “I can’t watch cricket without him.” Second was Michael Holding. “A voice like liquid chocolate,” said Geoff James. Third was David Gower.