Richie Benaud passes away: Secret behind the iconic cream jacket

Richie Benaud passes away: Secret behind the iconic cream jacket

Sydney: Every cricket fan remembers former Australian cricketer and legendary broadcaster Richie Benaud, who passed away on Friday aged 84, for his ‘voice of cricket’ and his cream jacket, but here is the story how the late commentator came to don his characteristic attire. Read: Five most memorable quotes by the ‘Voice of Cricket’

It is impossible to picture Benaud not dressed in the cream, off-white, beige or similarly coloured jacket that was his standard broadcasting attire for almost four decades. Read: Richie Benaud — A great all-rounder and the voice of cricket

And how the cream jacket was born is a unique story in itself. World Series Cricket owner Kerry Packer had told Benaud before his rebel project went to air in the late 1970s that he was the head of the commentary team and he should stand out by wearing something different, News.com.au reported. Watch: Eight videos that highlight Richie Benaud’s career

There were decades when the jacket was robustly in fashion, almost trending ahead of the trends and others when it seemed a touch last winter but on Benaud the jacket never seemed to age. Richie Benaud: Cricket’s ultimate all-rounder

It just always seemed the right choice for Benaud no matter what was going around it in the fashion world. Benaud had once said that it was Packer’s idea and he thought that it sounded like a good one.