Richie Benaud: The face and voice of cricket

Former Australia cricket captain Richie Benaud has been hailed as the "face and voice of cricket" today, following his death aged 84.

The International Cricket Council described the cricketer as "one of the most complete sportsmen who dedicated his life to cricket" and tributes poured in from fans around the world who remembered him fondly from his days both on the pitch and in the commentator's box.

Benaud first made his name as the captain who led his nation to Ashes victory in the 1958-59 Test series and went on to head up his team for a further two successful defences of the urn.

Watch Benaud talking about Australia retaining the Ashes in 1961 here:

A record breaking player the leg-spinner set a then Australia-record of 248 wickets during his 63 Tests and scored 2,201 runs - including three centuries during his time as a professional sportsman.

Despite being considered a "late developer" in the game Benaud went on to captain Australia in 28 Tests, winning 12 and losing four, during a 16 year career that made him a household name for cricket fans.

Regarded as an innovator and instinctive player one of the key moments in his career was when Benaud helped his team defend 256 to take a series lead at Old Trafford in 1961, bowling England captain Peter May round his legs for a duck.

Following his retirement from international cricket in 1964 Benaud continued to show his love of the game by stepping into the press box, going on to become a cricket pundit for the News of the World and then commentator for the BBC and Channel 4 as well as Australia's ABC and Channel Nine.

Benaud's legacy was considered undeniable in the sporting world and it was only when he began treatment for skin cancer in 2014 that he stepped out of the cricketing limelight.