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He took 18 wickets in these matches, including 3/20 and 3/37 against Oxford University, 5/13 against Minor Counties and 4/38 against Hampshire. Benaud died late on Thursday . [36] His batting was reliable, with 227 runs at 32.47. [7] He was recalled immediately for the Fourth Test, but was dropped for the Fifth after managing seven runs in his only innings and going wicketless. Harvey and Benaud had been captains of their respective states until Harvey moved in the same season for employment purposes from Victoria to New South Wales and became Benaud's deputy. [101] Some of his other memorable moments he commentated on included Shane Warne's "Ball of the Century",[102] Ian Botham's dominant all-round display during the 1981 Ashes,[97] Dennis Lillee overtaking Benaud's record for most wickets, and subsequent 300th and 310th wickets, and Andrew Symonds' tackle on a streaker. It was screened before Australias Test series against India last December. [111], It was announced on 15 November 2009, that Benaud had signed a three-year contract with the Nine Network to continue being part of their cricket coverage until 2013, although his role would change from that of ball-by-ball commentary. Richie Benaud Biography Richie Benaud Networth [6] Benaud's bold leadership coupled with his charismatic nature and public relations ability enlivened interest in Test cricket among a public who had increasingly regarded it as boring. Richie Benaud, Australian Cricket Legend, Dies at Age 84 [33] After taking four wickets in the drawn Second Test in Bombay,[34], Benaud bowled Australia to victory in the Third Test in Calcutta, sealing the series 20. ", Former England batsman Geoffrey Boycottexternal-link said: "Farewell Richie Benaud. Six further wickets in the drawn Third Test saw Benaud end the series with 84 runs at 28 and 18 wickets at 21.11. Australia never lost a series under the leg-spinning all-rounder's . Yes! Richie Benaud dies aged 84 - rolling reaction The former Australia cricket captain and commentator, who played 63 Test matches, has died at the age of 84 Updated 9 Apr 2015 9 Apr 2015 Flags. Asked whether that was sad for her, Marcia said: 'I've accepted it'. Benaud removed Meckiff from the attack and did not recall him. He was 84. Listen to impressionist Rory Bremner paying tribute to Richie Benaud. His selection was frequently questioned in those early years, when much other flowering talent was evident in domestic cricket. Benaud was a Test cricket all-rounder, blending leg spin bowling with lower-order batting aggression. Benaud, Richard (Richie) (1930-2015) by Kersi Meher-Homji. His major advisory work for Kerry Packer during crickets revolutionary upheaval in the late 1970s alienated him in some traditional quarters, one consequence being an outcry for Benaud to be removed from BBCs television commentary panel. Having helped Australia win the 1955 series in the West Indies (Benauds century in Jamaica, one of five in an innings of 758 for 8 still Australias highest total in Tests came in a mere 78 minutes), after four years and 27 Test matches it was felt at last that he truly belonged in the side. [6][7] New South Wales were the dominant state at the time, and vacancies in the team were scarce, particularly as there were no Tests that season and all of the national team players were available for the whole summer. Australia had fallen to 6/92 on the final day chasing a target of 233 with Benaud and Davidson at the crease. Coupled with his subtle variations in flight and angle of the delivery, he kept the batsman under constant pressure. He was 84 years old. 'It was a 6pm wedding. [4] He was appointed an OBE in that year and in 1962 was named as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year. Australia won the series 21, and although Benaud was below his best, scoring at 21.77 and taking 23 wickets at 33.87,[29][36] the series was a success for cricket. For the following Australian season in 195253, Benaud started modestly; and, in the five first-class matches before the Tests, he scored 208 runs at 26.00, including a 63 and 69, and 14 wickets at 38.64. The tour included seven first-class matches, three of which were unofficial Tests. With an attacking partnership, the pair took Australia to within sight of the target. Overall he played in or commentated on approximately 500 Test matches, as he himself noted in one of his final interviews in Britain when asked if he would miss Test cricket. Along with fellow bowling all-rounder Alan Davidson, he helped restore Australia to the top of world cricket in the late 1950s and early 1960s after a slump in the early 1950s. [7] His only wicket was that of the all-rounder Trevor Bailey. There were good times when he was home at the family house in Beecroft, in Sydney's north. [citation needed], The First Test in Brisbane ended in the first tie in Test history, which came about after Benaud and Alan Davidson, rather than settle for a draw, decided to risk defeat and play an attacking partnership, which took Australia to the brink of victory. [31] He was unable to maintain the standards he had set in the West Indies, contributing little apart from the Lord's Test. [124], Benaud was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1961 for services to cricket. [7] It's been very much appreciated.'. The world of sport reacts to the news that former Australia captain and broadcaster Richie Benaud died overnight at the age of 84. With Ray Lindwall, Keith Miller and Ernie Toshack, three of Australia's leading four bowlers from the 1948 Invincibles tour of England unavailable, Benaud bowled heavily in some matches. [8], Relegated to the Second XI after this match, he was struck in the head above the right eye by a ball from Jack Daniel while batting against Victoria in Melbourne, having missed an attempted hook. Now an 85-year-old pensioner, Marcia Benaud hadn't seen Richie Benaud since the 1970s when he was contesting the maintenance paid to support her and their sons. He was buried on April 15 in a private funeral ceremony attended only by immediate family members. Newspaper reports said he drank champagne 'through a straw'. "[2] In his review of Benaud's autobiography Anything But, Sri Lankan cricket writer Harold de Andrado wrote: "Richie Benaud possibly next to Sir Don Bradman has been one of the greatest cricketing personalities as player, researcher, writer, critic, author, organiser, adviser and student of the game."[3]. Along with the West Indian captain Frank Worrell, Benaud's bold leadership enlivened interest in Test cricket among a public who had increasingly regarded it as boring. [7], Despite this, Benaud was chosen for his Test debut in the Fifth Test against the West Indies in 195152 in Sydney. Greg Benaud had just turned twelve and his brother Jeffrey was nine. He married after the match and had to mumble his wedding vows through a swathe of bandages. [10] He had more success with the bat, scoring 93 and narrowly missing a century against South Australia. Gallery: Richie Benaud his life in pictures, Richard Cooke pays tribute to crickets permanent witness, From the archive The Joy of Six: Richie Benaud. Benaud, who was born in Penrith, just west of Sydney, into a family of Huguenot origin, had a keen cricketer for a father. This included figures of 2/70 and 4/90 against the touring ", At the age of 83, he crushed two vertebrae when his 1963 Sunbeam vintage sports car, Test debut against West Indies at Sydney Cricket Ground, First of 248 Test wickets and 2,201 Test runs, First Test as Australia captain, v England at Brisbane, In his 60th Test, the first to 2,000 Test runs & 200 wickets, Final Test against South Africa at Sydney Cricket Ground, Final commentary in England after 42 years. Such guarded humour as he evinced bore the touch of a man who was keen to be seen above all else as discerning. Richie Benaud Cause of Death, How did Richie Benaud Die? [108], Benaud's distinctive speaking style has been frequently parodied on the Australian comedy series Comedy Inc. and The Twelfth Man. His performances in South Africa in 1957-58 reinforced that belief. In the previous seasons when he and his team were at their peak, he had scored 636 runs at 31.8 with taken 108 wickets at 20.27 in eighteen Tests, averaging six wickets a match. Richie proposed to Marcia and the engaged pair planned to marry on January 15, 1953, in between the third and fourth tests against the touring South African team. Richie Benaud Death Anniversary: Lesser-known Facts About the 'Voice of Richie Benaud remembered in private ceremony for friends and family, Richie Benaud dies aged 84 rolling reaction, Richie Benaud: archive match reports of his playing career, Richie Benaud: a personal reflection on a colossus of cricket, Cricket legend Richie Benaud his life in pictures. Menu! Richie Benaud cricketer (1930-2015) . He still managed to say I do quite firmly. Richie Benaud, 1959. Richie Benaud, former Australia cricket captain, dies at 84 It came from Jeff and I'm glad he told me because I didn't know why.'. Reaction to the death of former Australian cricket captain and commentator Richie Benaud, known as the 'Voice of Cricket'. 'I kept on seeing Dad throughout my life - occasionally,' confirmed Greg Benaud. Australian Test captain Michael Clarke said Benaud was a gentleman who played cricket in the right spirit. Greg said that instead of cricket he chose to study architecture after leaving school in 1972, but never finished his degree 'for various reasons I can't talk about' said he had 'worked at various things, any job'. He appeared in Richie Benaud's Greatest XI, a video in which he chooses his own team. Benaud erroneously recalled in an autobiography that this was his maiden wicketit was, in fact, his fourthand described the ball as "the worst I ever bowled". In his three Tests he averaged just three runs with the bat scoring 15 runs over five innings and took two wickets for 174 before ending the long tour in glory with 135 in a festival match at a crowded Scarborough ground, hitting 11 sixes to equal the world record at that time. But he had been a distinguished performer for Australia on the cricket field himself, playing for his country for 12 years until 1964. We will remember him forever. [72] Benaud then took four wickets in the drawn Fifth Test to end the series 21. [74] Benaud was the leading wicket-taker of the season with 47 at 17.97. Benaud, born in Penrith, New South Wales, enjoyed a successful career as a wily leg-spin bowler and middle-order batsman. Swanton. [4] Benaud took 5/72 and scored 43 in the First Test,[86] but then injured himself in a grade match, so Bob Simpson captained the team for the Second Test and won the match in Benaud's absence. [7] He was selected for an Australian XI match against England, in what was effectively a trial for Test selection, but suffered a chipped bone in his thumb. Later that same day, there was a commemoration service officiated by former teammate turned lay preacher Brian Booth; attendees included his family and close friendsamong them former players, including Ian Chappell and Shane Warne, and Australian Test captain Michael Clarke. Marcia Benaud kept her surname 'for the sake of my sons. Tributes have been pouring in from around the world following the news of Benaud's death. [109] Chris Barrie of Red Dwarf fame incorporated impressions of Benaud into his stand-up repertoire. On Channel 4's live commentary, Benaud often made sarcastic comments regarding the advertisement of Desktop Richie. He was shrewd not only from the weight of experience but in the cautious way he rationed opinions. Marcia had thought Richie's hanging up of the bat would bring him home. They brought back all the old memories, sad ones. Marcia Benaud said she had not seen her former husband Richie (pictured in the West Indies in 1991) for 39 years 'except on TV', 'I enjoyed cricket, even though Richie said I didn't like it. Australia's chances of winning looked remote when they reached tea at 6/109 with 124 runs still required with only the tailenders to follow. Afterwards, they flew to Adelaide where Richie took part in the fourth Test. [1], Gideon Haigh described him as "perhaps the most influential cricketer and cricket personality since the Second World War. He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985. No comments have so far been submitted. [7], On arrival in the British Isles, Benaud quickly made an impression with both bat and ball. [6] At the start of the 194950 season, he was still in the Second XI, but when the Test players departed for a tour of South Africa soon afterwards,[7] vacancies opened up. [29], Benaud's bowling reached a new level on the return leg of Australia's overseas tour, when they stopped in the Indian subcontinent in 195657 en route back to Australia. "Cricinfo review of Benaud autobiography: "Statsguru R Benaud Tests Innings by innings list", "Bradman sums up on Tests: Lack of Intentness, Spinners Lost Ashes", "Australia Loses Eight For 140 in Sensational Test Collapse", "Australia Prime Minister's XI v Marylebone Cricket Club", "Australia in West Indies 1954/55 (1st Test)", "Australia in West Indies 1954/55 (2nd Test)", "Australia in West Indies 1954/55 (3rd Test)", "Australia in West Indies 1954/55 (5th Test)", "Test batting and fielding in each season by Richie Benaud", "Australia in British Isles 1956 (2nd Test)", "Australia in India and Pakistan 1956/57 (Only Test)", "Australia in India and Pakistan 1956/57 (1st Test)", "Australia in India and Pakistan 1956/57 (2nd Test)", "Australia in India and Pakistan 1956/57 (3rd Test)", "Test bowling in each season by Richie Benaud", "Both pace and spin can succeed in India", "First-class bowling in each season by Richie Benaud", "Australia in South Africa 1957/58 (1st Test)", "Australia in South Africa 1957/58 (2nd Test)", "Australia in South Africa 1957/58 (3rd Test)", "Australia in South Africa 1957/58 (4th Test)", "Australia in South Africa 1957/58 (5th Test)", "Marylebone Cricket Club in Australia and New Zealand 1958/59 (1st Test)", "Marylebone Cricket Club in Australia and New Zealand 1958/59 (2nd Test)", "Marylebone Cricket Club in Australia and New Zealand 1958/59 (3rd Test)", "Marylebone Cricket Club in Australia and New Zealand 1958/59 (4th Test)", "Marylebone Cricket Club in Australia and New Zealand 1958/59 (5th Test)", "Australia in India and Pakistan 1959/60 (1st Test)", "Australia in India and Pakistan 1959/60 (2nd Test)", "Australia in India and Pakistan 1959/60 (3rd Test)", "Australia in India and Pakistan 1959/60 (4th Test)", "Australia in India and Pakistan 1959/60 (5th Test)", "West Indies in Australia 1960/61 (1st Test)", "West Indies in Australia 1960/61 (2nd Test)", "West Indies in Australia 1960/61 (3rd Test)", "West Indies in Australia 1960/61 (4th Test)", "West Indies in Australia 1960/61 (5th Test)", "Australia in British Isles 1961 (1st Test)", "Australia in British Isles 1961 (2nd Test)", "Australia in British Isles 1961 (3rd Test)", "Australia in British Isles 1961 (4th Test)", "Australia in British Isles 1961 (5th Test)", "First-class bowling in Australia for 1961/62 (ordered by wickets)", "New South Wales v Marylebone Cricket Club", "Marylebone Cricket Club in Australia and New Zealand 1962/63 (1st Test)", "Marylebone Cricket Club in Australia and New Zealand 1962/63 (2nd Test)", "Marylebone Cricket Club in Australia and New Zealand 1962/63 (3rd Test)", "Marylebone Cricket Club in Australia and New Zealand 1962/63 (4th Test)", "Marylebone Cricket Club in Australia and New Zealand 1962/63 (5th Test)", "South Africa in Australia and New Zealand 1963/64 (1st Test)", "South Africa in Australia and New Zealand 1963/64 (2nd Test)", "South Africa in Australia and New Zealand 1963/64 (3rd Test)", "South Africa in Australia and New Zealand 1963/64 (4th Test)", "South Africa in Australia and New Zealand 1963/64 (5th Test)", "John Benaud: Donned many a hat, but remained eclipsed by his brother Richie", "Test matches Batting records Fastest hundreds", "Richie Benaud dies aged 84: sport pays tribute", "Richie Benaud much more than a cricket commentator", "End of innings for cricket great Richie Benaud", "SHANE WARNE THE MIKE GATTING BALL VS ENGLAND 1993", "The legend of Richie Benaud's cream jacket began during World Series Cricket", "Benaud's all-time team opens up a can of worms, but imagine watching them play", "Benaud declares with a warning to cricket", "Got 'im! But he was a survivor, even if his friendship with Bradman never quite recovered from that cricket civil war. [75] His aggressive tactical style brought large crowds throughout the season, with almost 18,000 watching one match against South Australia. He had been receiving treatment for skin cancer since November. At the time, Ms Benaud said she was upset she hadn't been invited to her former husband's funeral. SURPRISINGLY, there is a French Cricket Association. Thus, the 2005 Ashes series was the last that Benaud commentated on in Britain. Richard (Richie) Benaud, cricketer and commentator, died on April 10th, aged 84. If I knew, when I was at school and playing in my early cricket days, the problems that would have come if I didnt do something about protection of the head and using sunscreens and all sorts of things like that, Id have played it differently. After attending Parramatta high school, Richie made his New South Wales debut on the final day of 1948. Richie Benaud obituary: the 'voice of cricket' was the game's shrewdest Fred Trueman with 216 Test wickets and Brian Statham with 229 were poised to overtake the record of 236 Test wickets set by the assistant-manager Alec Bedser. His Australian cricket television commentary continued until it was brought to a halt by a car accident in 2013 and shortly afterwards he announced that he had skin cancer a legacy, he suspected, of his bareheaded days on the field. Benaud was recalled to the New South Wales First XI in late December for the Christmas and New Year's fixtures. We'd have baked dinners on a Sunday at their houses.'. He scored 47 not out and took 3/37 in an innings win over Queensland. [130], Last edited on 25 February 2023, at 20:19, 195455 series when England visited Australia, 196061 Test series against the visiting West Indians, 196263 saw an English team under Dexter visit Australia, Officer of the Order of the British Empire, Jane McGrath Day for Breast Cancer awareness and fundraising, List of New South Wales representative cricketers, List of international cricket five-wicket hauls by Richie Benaud. [7] This was part of a month-long run in which he made only 123 runs in eight innings and took only seven wickets in four matches. Read about our approach to external linking. Death date: 10 April, 2015, Friday. Born October 6, 1930, Benaud was a legend by every definition on the book, but there . He made 140, in a seventh-wicket partnership of 255 in just 176 minutes, an Australian record that still stands. In October 2018, Benaud became the 40th Legend in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. [5] Lou later moved to Parramatta region in western Sydney, and played for Cumberland. [112], "This is the greatest loss for cricket since the loss of Don Bradman and for that reason I'm pleased to have offered the Benaud family a state funeral. Richie Benaud's first wife reveals her troubled relationship with him Following the divorce hearing in the NSW Supreme Court, Richie Benaud was required to pay Marcia and her sons ten pounds per week. [72], During England's chase on the final afternoon it became apparent that, with Ted Dexter scoring quickly, Australia would lose the Test unless England were bowled out. They are Richie Benaud's secret first family, whose lives are far removed from the glittering sporting career the cricket legend led in the media spotlight before his death in April. Richard Benaud OBE (/bno/; 6 October 1930 10 April 2015) was an Australian cricketer who played for New South Wales and the Australia national cricket team. Benaud did not bowl Meckiff from the other end, and at the end of the match Meckiff announced his retirement. Early in his career, he hit 100 runs against the West Indies in 78 minutes, the third fastest Test century of all time (in terms of minutes at the crease, not balls faced) and the second fastest by an Australian. While a heart attack was the cause of Warne's death while holidaying in Thailand, Healy revealed that he feared the spin king would succumb to another health issue. Benaud was cementing his position and was in the senior team for four consecutive matches even with the Test players available. Jeffrey Benaud is not involved in the court action Marcia and Greg Benaud have taken against Daphne Benaud in the Supreme Court. Rich couldn't make it and I'll always be grateful that Mr Menzies said, "well your wife might like to go".'. He had been seventh and eighth in the domestic run-scoring and wicket-taking aggregates for the season, but was yet to convert this into international performance. Some famous Benaud phrases and one-liners: "It's gone straight into the confectionary stall and out again"", "And Glenn McGrath dismissed for two, just ninety-eight runs short of his century", Cricket Australia chairman Wally Edwards said Benaud was "the iconic voice of our summer", while the Australian government has. Marcia Benaud told Daily Mail Australia about her mixed emotions in the days after Richie Benaud's death on April 10 this year. The selectors long-term planning had reached fulfilment. EXCLUSIVE: Head teacher of leading grammar school is sacked for sending parents a list of striking teachers. Benaud built his reputation as a commentator following an outstanding playing career in which he took 945 wickets in 259 first-class matches and made 11,719 first-class runs, scoring 23 centuries at an average of 36.50. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Time and again he and fellow bowler Alan Davidson took the opposition by storm, and the Australians, led by 22-year-old Ian Craig, finished the tour unbeaten. He was known for his unbuttoned shirt, and raised eyebrows with his on-field exuberance. Former Australia captain and legendary cricket commentator Richie Benaud has died at the age of 84. He ended the Test series with 15 runs at 3.00 and two wickets at 87.00. His first BBC radio commentary came in 1960, followed by his first television appearance three years later. Around 150,000 deaths are registered in Australia every year, but few receive the "end of an era" tribute accorded Richie Benaud. ", added: "So sad to hear about the passing of Richie Benaud. Harsha Bhogle remembers Richie Benaud on 5th death anniversary with sad They are Richie Benaud's secret first family, whose lives are far removed from the glittering sporting career the cricket legend led in the media spotlight before his death in April. [56][57] He returned to form with 5/43 and 3/43 as India were defeated by an innings after being forced to follow on in the Fourth Test in Madras. [25] After a draw in the Second Test,[26] he took three wickets in four balls to end with 4/15 in the first innings at Georgetown, Guyana, before scoring 68 (his first Test half century) as Australia moved to a 20 series lead. He was buried on April 15 in a private funeral ceremony attended only by immediate family members. As a batsman, he was tall and lithe, known for his hitting power, in particular his lofted driving ability from the front foot. The Ashes were retained in England in 1961, though a shoulder injury kept Benaud from the Lords Test, which was won by Australia under Harvey. He defined an era with conviction and sincerity.". Benaud had an ineffective match with the ball, taking 1/162. It was something he shouldn't have done. [79] This was followed by three unproductive Tests which yielded only 5/360 and a win apiece. Even worse, many such slurs aren't from men but 'I couldn't do it without you': Victoria Beckham poses with her whole family after her PFW show - as she Brooklyn Beckham puts on a loved-up display with wife Nicola Peltz as they head back to hotel after Cruz Beckham supports his mother Victoria as he carrying his very own VB handbag on the way to her show Like father, like daughter! Vale Richie: Greg Benaud, 60, and his younger brother, Jeffrey, were very happy to be invited by Richie's second wife Daphne to attend the private funeral in April, for which Greg quipped he would have haircut, a shave and don a suit to farewell his Dad, 'I want to respect Jeff's privacy,' he said. [6][46] Benaud had little prior leadership experience, and faced the task of recovering the Ashes from an England team which had arrived in Australia as favourites. He spent two weeks in hospital for the surgery. It was here that Richie Benaud grew up, learning how to bowl leg breaks, googlies and topspinners under his father's watch. [4], Benaud was not a large spinner of the ball, but he was known for his ability to extract substantial bounce from the surface. [92], During Benaud's captaincy, Australia did not lose a series, and became the dominant team in world cricket. Renowned cricket broadcaster Richie Benaud passed away on Friday in Sydney. He had managed, in the 14 Tests since then, 559 runs at 27.95 and 67 wickets at 24.98. [120][121][122], Prime Minister Tony Abbott offered his family a state funeral; however, his widow, Daphne, declined, respecting his wishes for a private funeral. I've got a black dress hanging inside,' Marcia said, laughing. Often bare-headed, and a somewhat stooping, rangy figure at the crease, he cracked a century in both the Johannesburg Tests, averaged 54 in the series, and took 30 wickets at a rate of just under 22 runs each in the five Tests. He was also a highly regarded tactician and never lost a Test series as Australia captain, winning five and drawing two. Benaud, who was appointed OBE in 1961 for services to cricket, leaves a wife of 48 years, Daphne, and two children from his first marriage. Sprawling home where JonBenet Ramsey was found murdered in 1996 is listed for sale for $7 MILLION by current Royal Mail increase price of first class stamp by 15p to 1.10 in record-breaking hike. Then came the 1953 tour, the first of three he was to make to England as a player. "[39], After a break in the international calendar of a year, the 195758 tour to South Africa heralded the start of a phase of three international seasons when Benaud was at his peak. Over the first years of their marriage, Benaud would tour overseas with the Australian cricket team to the West Indies, England, India, Pakistan and South Africa. By that summers end, with the beaten but popular West Indies having had a tickertape motorcade send-off in Melbourne, Richie Benauds own popularity was sealed. Richie (Richard) Benaud, cricketer, journalist and broadcaster, born 6 October 1930; died 10 April 2015, When Richie Benaud made a teenage cricket fans day | Letters, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Richie Benaud, at the Montcalm Hotel, London in 2005, Richie Benaud remembered in private ceremony for friends and family, Richie Benaud, former Australia cricket captain, dies at 84, Richie Benaud dies aged 84 rolling reaction, Richie Benaud: archive match reports of his playing career, Richie Benaud: a personal reflection on a colossus of cricket, Cricket legend Richie Benaud his life in pictures, Richard Cooke pays tribute to crickets permanent witness, Rolling blog: how the world reacted to Benauds death, Gallery: Richie Benaud his life in pictures, From the archive The Joy of Six: Richie Benaud. Benaud struck exactly 100 in the first innings, before taking 4/70 in South Africa's reply. ', Home territory: Richie Benaud was the king of the commentary box and at complete ease on cricket grounds around the world including the SCG (above), but as he forged his international commentary career he saw less of his two sons by first wife Marcia, Marcia Benaud said: 'I was at the stage where I preferred to be happy with a little, than rich and unhappy and so I accepted it and I haven't seen him since that day in court.'. He had brought novel flashes of exhibitionism into play on the cricket field, racing over to embrace a fieldsman after a catch, his own shirt unbuttoned almost to the navel.