Reaction to the death of the 'Voice of Cricket' Benaud

Sydney: Reaction to the death of former Australian cricket captain and commentator Richie Benaud, known as the `Voice of Cricket`.

Benaud died late on Thursday aged 84.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott

"He was the accompaniment of an Australian summer ... He has been a part of the lives of millions of Australians and he will certainly be very much missed."
Cricket Australia Chairman Wally Edwards

"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."
Australia cricket captain Michael Clarke

"He was a great player and a great captain; a wonderful leader of men and he continued that off the field. He loved winning. He helped the Australian team have the attitude where they wanted to win. He played the game the right way."
Australia coach Darren Lehmann

"Richie was truly one of the game`s greats."
Former Australia captain Steve Waugh

"His legacy to the game will always live on. More so Richie`s stature as a true gentleman and role model for life will remain his greatest gift."
BBC cricket commentator Jonathan Agnew

"He was quite simply peerless. Nobody else had his authority, popularity and skill. If you speak to any broadcaster from any sport, they will point to Richie as the standard-bearer."
Former Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne

"As a cricketer, commentator and as a person, you were the best there`s ever been and to top it off, an absolute gentleman."
Multiple Olympic medal winning cyclist Anna Meares

"Rest In Peace Richie Benaud. What a marvellous innings you had!"
Former Australian batsman Dean Jones

"A part of cricket died today."