text: Richie Benaud’s family have been offered a state funeral after Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott called his death the ‘greatest loss for cricket since the loss of Don Bradman’. The former Australia captain and legendary broadcaster died on Wednesday at the age of 84 following a battle with skin cancer. Abbott said: ‘There would be very few Australians who have not passed a summer in the company of Richie Benaud. Richie Benaud was one of cricket's great personalities and will be remembered for his dry wit and knowledge . Benaud was the voice of cricket for generations, commentating in his native Australia and for the BBC . Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has offered Benaud's family a state funeral . Benaud, pictured on his wedding day to wife Daphne, and during his time as Australia captain . Benaud was a daring captain and became the first cricketer to score 2,000 runs and take 200 wickets in Tests . ‘He was the accompaniment of an Australian summer, his voice was even more present than the chirping of the cicadas in our suburbs and towns, and that voice, tragically, is now still. But we remember him with tremendous affection.’ State funerals in Australia are generally reserved for politicians. Even Bradman himself turned down the offer of one before his death in 2001. But such is the esteem in which Benaud was held, both as an engaging all-round cricketer – he took 248 Test wickets with his leg-breaks and scored 2,201 runs – and as a commentator, that Abbott has been moved to make an exception. David Gower, Geoffrey Boycott and Benaud assembled a formidable line-up for the BBC in 1995 . A master with the microphone to his lips, Benaud also was well aware of the power of silence . The tributes continued on Friday to a man routinely referred to as ‘the voice of cricket’. His fellow leg-spinner Shane Warne said, ‘For me it was an honour and a privilege to call you a close friend and mentor’, while Sachin Tendulkar described his death as a ‘great loss to the world of cricket’. Australia’s Test captain Michael Clarke praised Benaud for helping ‘the Australian team have the attitude where they wanted to win. He played the game the right way’. One of Clarke’s predecessors, Steve Waugh, said: ‘His legacy to the game will always live on.’ The veteran Australian radio commentator Jim Maxwell said: ‘He has been the most influential, revered and respected person in the game for 50 years. As Australian captain he never lost a series. As a commentator he was precise, authoritative and deliciously understated.’ Benaud, pictured in 2006 during the launch of his book My Take on Cricket, was widely respected and loved . Benaud pays tribute to Australian media mogul and cricket pioneer Kerry Packer after his death in 2005 . ON COMMENTATING . 'What I want most from being a television commentator is to be able to feel that, when I say something, I am talking to friends.' 'My mantra is: put your brain into gear and if you can add to what's on the screen then do it, otherwise shut up.' 'The key thing was to learn the value of economy with words and to never insult the viewer by telling them what they can already see.' 'Out in the field, you haven't got anyone whispering into your ear saying all sorts of things, you've got to do it yourself.' ON CAPTAINCY . 'The hallmark of a great captain is the ability to win the toss, at the right time.' 'Captaincy is 90 per cent luck and 10 per cent skill. But don't try it without that 10 per cent.' ON BATTING . 'Bruce Reid is not the worst batsman there is at international level but those who are worse would not need to hire the Myer Music Bowl to hold a convention.' 'Glenn McGrath dismissed for two, just ninety-eight runs short of his century.' 'He's not quite got hold of that one. If he had, it would have gone for nine.' ON BOWLING . 'A bleeding ring finger at the end of every training session was not only normal but essential for my development as a wrist spinner.' 'Your wrist must be cocked, but not stiffly cocked.' 'You must always look where you want to land it. If I offered you 10,000 dollars to hit a tin can, you'd never take your eyes off it.' ON TWENTY20 CRICKET . 'If any form of game can pull 20,000 spectators into a game of cricket it's great for the sport. I think it's wonderful.' 'As long as the people who run the game have brains and keep three forms of the game I think it will be terrific.' ON SHANE WARNE'S 'BALL OF THE CENTURY . 'Gatting has absolutely no idea what has happened to it. Still doesn't know.' ON 1981's 'UNDERARM BOWLING' SCANDAL . 'A disgraceful performance from a captain who got his sums wrong. It should never be permitted to happen again. One of the worst things I have ever seen done on a cricket field.' MISCELLANEOUS . 'The slow-motion replay doesn't show how fast the ball was really travelling.' 'A cricket ground is a flat piece of earth with some buildings around it.' 'He's usually a good puller - but he couldn't get it up that time.' 'Cricket has changed for the better ... it's because of what happened then, cricket is so strong now.'
target: Richie Benaud passed away aged 84 on Friday .
  Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has paid tribute to Richie Benaud .
  State funerals in Australia are usually reserved for politicians .
  Bradman turned down opportunity to have state funeral before his death .
  CLICK HERE for more Benaud tributes .