Former Australian captain Richie Benaud, known as the "voice of cricket" to fans around the world, has died aged 84. Benaud, one of Australia's most influential cricketers, had been fighting skin cancer and died overnight in a Sydney hospice. He was the first player to score 2,000 Test runs and take 200 Test wickets. Australia never lost a series under the leg-spinning allrounder's captaincy.

Cricket Australia chairman, Wally Edwards spoke of Benaud's ever-lasting impact on the game. "Our country has lost a national treasure," he said. "After Don Bradman, there has been no Australian player more famous or more influential than Richie Benaud. Richie stood at the top of the game throughout his rich life, first as a record-breaking leg-spinner and captain, and then as cricket's most famous broadcaster who became the iconic voice of our summer. He was an important influence in the formation of Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket in 1977, a climactic event at the time but one which has left a lasting, positive influence on the game.

Benaud was the mainstay in Australian cricket television commentary until a car accident forced him to halt his commentary duties. He suffered chest and shoulder injuries during a car crash in Sydney late last year. The injuries included two fractured vertebrae and it prevented him calling a single ball during the Ashes series. A much anticipated return to commentary was scuppered when Benaud revealed, in November last year, that he was suffering from skin cancer.

However, Benaud gave his voice to a heart-rending tribute to Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes, who died during a match last November, which was screened before Australia's Test series against India last December.