Could Richie Benaud commentate from home?
With the summer of cricket just around the corner and the prospect of Richie Benaud not being in the commentary box, Channel Nine CEO David Gyngell today suggested an interesting solution that will get cricket fans excited.
Could Richie Benaud commentate from the comfort of his Coogee living room?
Just imagine Benaud in his pyjamas and slippers dissecting play from the comforts of home, firing quips at fellow commentators Michael Slater and Ian Healy with a cup of tea in one hand and a microphone in the other.
Gyngell told the Sydney Morning Herald that the idea to get the commentary legend back on the air sooner rather than later, is something he has discussed with Benaud.
"That's what I've put to him," Gyngell said.
"If he's not up to calling from the ground this summer, I'd like him to call from home. He'd be the ultimate armchair caller from the couch, wouldn't he? I'd prefer to have him calling at the ground, but I would say that will be difficult. If I have my way, he will be calling it from his home but it is completely his decision."
Benaud's health has been of concern since his car crash in October last year, which prevented him from calling a single ball during the Ashes campaign. With no certainty of whether he will be healthy enough to travel around the country for the series against India, this could just be the perfect solution to get his voice back on the air waves.
It is the ultimate testament to just how important Beanud is to the Australian summer of cricket and a reminder of just how much he has been missed.
The move would take he term 'armchair commentary' to a whole new level, but in the case of Benaud it's a voice everyone wants to hear.
