‘The Richies’ fan group, created to honour the late Australian cricket legend Richie Benaud, have suited up for one remaining time and gone out in model – and the Day by day Mail was on the SCG for the event.
Greater than 600 members of the group took to the Sydney Cricket Floor for Day Two of the Fifth Ashes Check to honour the enduring determine by dressing up as him in scenes which have change into beloved by cricket followers all over the world.
After greater than 20 years of doing so, the group celebrated their remaining day with a ‘pre-show’-style perform outdoors the bottom, which we perceive was attended by the twelfth man, Billy Birmingham.
They then packed out Bay 27 on the SCG, with cricket followers of all ages coming collectively and sharing one remaining day honouring their hero.
The group, which was co-founded by Michael Hennessy, started paying tribute to the previous Australia cricket captain and commentator in the summertime of 2009-10.
After a collective of mad cricket followers learn studies it is perhaps Benaud’s remaining 12 months on the Channel 9 cricket commentary group, they wished to indicate their appreciation for his skills after he spent a number of many years as probably the most recognisable voice of the Aussie summer season.
Richie Benaud (pictured) turned probably the most recognisable voice of the Aussie summer season of cricket throughout his stellar commentary profession
The cricket legend – who handed away in 2015 – captained the Australia Check facet and took 248 wickets at a median of 27
Michael Hennessy (pictured) co-founded ‘The Richies’ group on the finish of 2009 to pay tribute to his cricketing hero
They started by donning an iconic factor of Richie’s model by sporting his well-known beige go well with jacket.
However over time, extra traditions revealed themselves, with the group turning into a staple of the Sydney Check match.
The legacy of Benaud extends a lot additional than simply those that noticed him play or watched him commentate.
Kids who by no means noticed him on the sector or TV have been available to participate within the remaining assembly of the Richies, with some travelling from far and vast.
‘I grew up on the Sunshine Coast and moved to Canberra three years in the past,’ 21-year-old James advised the Day by day Mail.
‘My roommate, who had come down for the final couple of years, advised me I ought to participate.’
‘Having watched them on TV as a baby and on TV just lately. The chance got here as much as do one thing I had by no means completed earlier than. It is nice to be a part of the Richie tradition.’
Will, one other one of many rookie Richies, additionally made a protracted journey to Sydney to get amongst it.
Richies member James (pictured talking to the Day by day Mail) spoke glowingly about taking the prospect to be part of some cricketing historical past
Sam (pictured left) at all times wished to honour Richie Benaud after studying about his legacy
The Richies (pictured) went out in positive model on the SCG on Monday
‘We [Will and his seven friends] have travelled up from Jervis Bay, about two and a half hours away,’ he stated.
‘It is one thing that we have at all times talked about as a gaggle, and being the final one, we thought it was a reasonably good alternative to come back up and have a go.’
One other one of many latest Richies revealed the prospect to be a part of one thing memorable spurred him on to participate.
‘I imply, it will be like a chunk of historical past, a chunk of cricket historical past actually, so it is simply nice to be part of,’ stated 20-year-old Sam.
‘It is simply very nice to honour somebody who, like, did a lot for the game… and was simply actually the face of cricket for thus a few years.’
Members of the group began bringing outsized commentary microphones into the bottom, and would converse into the mock gadgets all day.
There’s additionally the well-known custom of the group marking the second the clock strikes 2.22pm, attributable to Benaud’s well-known pronunciation of ‘two’, which turned one in every of his emblems.
Just a few of the group’s leaders even carry out a trumpet-style rendition of the Broad World of Sports activities theme tune.
The collective completed off their tenure in model, with one in every of their greatest turnouts but.
‘He is the voice of cricket and was an Australian icon,’ co-founder Michael Hennessy advised 9.
‘All through his taking part in profession and his commentary profession, he was actually marvellous.’
Their remaining day donning the silver wigs and fits got here on a really entertaining few periods of Check cricket, which noticed England nice Joe Root rating his second Ashes hundred in Australia.
It additionally got here a day after the Richies teamed up with the Barmy Military to kind the McGrath Melodies outdoors the bottom to open the ‘Pink Check’ in scenes that show whereas the Ashes rivalry is powerful, some issues are extra vital.
