Richie Benoud …

Posted on April 10, 2015. Filed under: Sports | Tags: , , |

Richie Benaud had taken over when Australian cricket was at a low ebb. His aggressive captaincy, daring approach and charismatic nature revitalized Australian cricket.

He showed all this and more in the 1960ā€“61 Test series against the visiting West Indians under Frank Worrell, in which the First Test in Brisbane ended in the first tie in Test history.

This came about when Benaud and Alan Davidson rather than settling for a draw, decided to risk defeat and play attacking cricket – which took Australia to the brink of victory.

Australia had fallen to 6 for 92 on the final day while chasing a target of 233 with Benaud and Davidson at the crease. Australia’s chances of winning looked remote at tea when 6 for 109 with 124 runs still needed and only the tail enders left.

However Benaud told the chairman of selectors, the legendary Don Bradman, that he would still be going for an improbable victory.

Both Benoud and Davidson viewed attack as their most effective chance of survival and their attacking partnership took Australia to within sight of the target. Regular boundaries and quick singles took the score to 226 – a seventh-wicket partnership of 134.

Only seven runs were needed with four wickets in hand but time was running out. Benaud hit a ball into the covers and attempted a quick single but a direct hit from Joe Solomon saw Davidson run out.

Australia needed six runs from the final over in which Benaud was caught and the last two wickets fell to run outs while gaining the equalizing run.

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