Richie Benaud

One day in the early 1940s, the sports master at Parramatta High School, where Richie Benaud was a student, told an assembly that Richie would not only play Test cricket for Australia, he’d probably be captain. What allowed the boy to fulfil this promise was his prodigious work ethic.

‘Richie earned this success with his sweat,’ wicket keeper Wally Grout would write. ‘He was the most enthusiastic and diligent member of the team, the first to practice and the last to leave.’


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Many photographs used in this exhibition are from the Bradman Museum’s Fairfax Collection, including this portrait of a 20 year old Benaud; taken 1950, a few years prior to his Test career commencing. The Bradman Museum's Holman Fairfax Collection contains many rarely seen photographs that provide significant historical content for exhibition and research.

Richie played in the Australian Test team between 1952 and 1956.

His journey from being a good to great player began in India and Pakistan in 1956–57 and continued in South Africa a year later, when he took 30 wickets at 21.93 and scored 329 runs at 54.83 with two centuries.





This trophy commemorates Richie Benaud's first Test match and first wicket. He bowled Alf Valentine for a duck in the 5th Test against the West Indies at the SCG, January 1952. In recognition, the Parramatta community (Sydney) presented him with this unique trophy. Generously on loan to Bradman Museum from his brother John Benaud.

After Australian Captain Ian Craig was struck down by hepatitis in 1958, Richie became Australia's 28th Captain. Benaud stunned England in 1958–59 by leading his men to a 4–0 triumph, taking 31 wickets in the process.


Image shows Richie Benaud bowling at the 1958-1959 Ashes series, SCG.

He was a central figure as Australian captain in two famous matches: the historic Tied Test with the West Indies in December 1960 and the series-deciding fourth Ashes Test of 1961, when he took 5-12 in 25 balls to win a game most thought was lost.

Image shows Garry Sobers caught by Bob Simpson, bowled by Richie Benaud. Keeper Wally Grout looks on. 1960-1961 Tied Test at 'The Gabba' QLD.

Richie Benaud never lost a Test series as Captain.

Some called him a ‘lucky’ captain; he explained that successful captaincy was 90 per cent luck and 10 per cent skill, "but don’t try it without that 10 per cent".



Whilst Sir Donald Bradman was Chairman of Australian Cricket and Richie Benaud the Test Captain of the Australian cricket team, they developed a special lifelong friendship.

Image shows Sir Donald Bradman and Richie Benaud in training discussions at Brisbane, 1962.

Richie retired in 1964 with 248 Test wickets, 2201 Test runs and 65 catches from 63 appearances.

He would remain the only male cricketer to complete the 200 wickets/2000 runs/50 catches treble in Tests until West Indies Garry Sobers joined him in 1971.


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Career Overview


Tests: 63

Bowling
Balls: 19,108
Runs: 6704
Wickets: 248
Average: 27.03
Best Bowling (Match): 11/105


Batting
Innings: 97
Aggregate: 2201
Highest Score: 122
Average: 24.45
Catches: 65

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Richie Benaud was Patron of the Bradman Foundation from 2002 until his death in 2015. He generously worked behind the scenes to support the Bradman Museum by sharing his deep knowledge of cricket and leading the Museum’s Reference Panel.

He greatly assisted the museum to interpret and develop its gallery themes; guiding the presentation of the significant moments which shaped the game.



"...those who change the game, shape the game" Richie Benaud