It seems Richie Benaud won’t be making a hoped-for return to the commentary box for his hometown SCG Test.
The Nine Network left the door open for 84-year-old commentary doyen Benaud to return for the fourth Test against India starting on Tuesday since he appeared at their summer of cricket launch at the SCG a month ago.
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However Nine’s head of sport Steve Crawley confirmed on Monday that Benaud hadn’t been in touch about working at the Test and he accepted it wouldn’t happen.
“He’s a man of great manners and he knows that the offer is there and he would have made contact by now,” Crawley said.
Former Australian captain Benaud hasn’t returned to the commentary box since a car crash left him with two crushed vertebrae 15 months ago and he revealed at Nine’s cricket launch on December 6 that he was also undergoing treatment for skin cancer.
There was some speculation Benaud could even contribute to the commentary from his loungeroom in seaside suburb Coogee, but that too is unlikely.
“I very much doubt he’ll be calling over the next five days,” Crawley said.
“But if he did decide to jump in a taxi and get over to the SCG, well, the door is always open to him.”
Crawley said only Benaud would decide if and when he got behind the microphone again.
“With Rich we just want him to get better,” Crawley said.
“All that matters is his health and recovery.”
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