The Royal Australian Mint has saluted cricket legend Richie Benaud with a limited edition 50 Cent coin in Australia. He is the second cricketer after Donald Bradman to be honoured on a coin.
Richie Benaud, a former Australian captain and well known for his cricket commentary, died in April last year aged 84.
Called the “Voice of Australia”, Richie Benaud retired from commentating in England following the 2005 Ashes series, but continued to work in Australia till 2013.
{{/usCountry}}Called the “Voice of Australia”, Richie Benaud retired from commentating in England following the 2005 Ashes series, but continued to work in Australia till 2013.
{{/usCountry}}Benaud, a leg break googly bowler, played 63 Tests between 1952 and 1964, taking 248 wickets. He scored 2,201 runs, with a career-best of 122.
The commemorative coin – 95,929 in number – has been inspired by combining nine stats from Benaud’s career. It features the iconic fan group, “The Richies.” The coin was conceived after approval from Richie Benaud’s wife, Daphne.
The co-founder of “The Richies,” Michael Hennessy, said the commemorative coin was a fitting tribute to Benaud.
“So many people grew up listening to Richie, he shaped summer for so many people,” Hennessy told the BBC.
“Cricket has changed but the game will move on and at least it’s nice to remember him with tributes like this.”