Richie Benaud dies at 84
IN PHOTO: Cricket commentator Richie Benaud (L) gives an address next to a picture of Australian businessman Kerry Packer and Tony Greig at a memorial service for Packer in the Sydney Opera House February 17, 2006. Packer, who was Australia's richest man, died on December 26, 2005 and even in death, Packer continued to stir divisive emotions on Friday as mourners and protesters gathered for a state memorial service at the Sydney Opera House. REUTERS/Will Burgess

Australian icon Richie Benaud has died at the age of 84. After battling with skin cancer, the cricket legend has finally rested peacefully in his sleep, according to Channel Nine report.

Benaud was a famous cricket man, being the first player to garner a score of 2,000 Test runs. He led Australia in 28 Tests and had never lost a series while being the captain. Following his retirement from cricket in the summer of 1963/64, Benaud became a legendary commentator initially with BBC in England and later on in his native country Australia, where he became a mainstay for Australian cricket television commentary.

In 2013, he got into a car accident that kept him from TV screens in the 2013-2014 Ashes series. While being a commentator for Channel Nine made him an icon, Benaud was also captain for the Australian team in the late 50s.

According to Michael Clarke, captain for Australian Test, Benaud was a gentleman who played cricket by heart. “He was a great player and a great captain; a wonderful leader of men and he continued that off the field,” he reported to the Nine Network.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott also paid respects to the icon, as he reported to ABC radio on Friday describing Benaud as someone who is an effective cricketer with great personality. “There would hardly be an Australian over the last 40 years who hasn’t listened to Richie Benaud,” he said.

In November 2014, Richie Benaud made a public announcement about his illness. He revealed that he had skin cancer and was getting radiation treatment on top of his head and the forehead. Benaud even gave out a public announcement on taking precautions when playing under the heat of the sun. He told the public, "I recommend to everyone they wear protection on their heads. Eighty-four-year olds don't seem to mend as well as they used to."

Australia mourns the loss of a cricketing legend. It has been confirmed that Prime Minister Abbott will hold a state funeral for Benaud.

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