Top 3 performances of Richie Benaud in international cricket

Richie Benaud, the legendary Australian all-rounder, was born on this day, October 6, 1930, in Penrith, New South Wales. He made his Test debut for Australia in the 1951–52 series against the West Indies.

Richie Benaud took 248 wickets at an average of 27.03 in 63 Tests, including 16 five-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket haul, with the best bowling figures of 7/72. He also made 2201 runs at an average of 24.45, including three centuries and nine fifties, with the highest score of 122. Let’s have a look at three of the best performances of Richie Benaud in international cricket.

Here are the top 3 performances of Richie Benaud in international cricket:

1. 7/72 vs India, Madras (now Chennai), 1956-57

This was Australia’s first-ever Test match in Chennai and was played from October 19 to 23, 1956. Richie Benaud starred with the ball under the captaincy of Ian Johnson after India captain Polly Umrigar had won the toss and chosen to bat first.

Richie Benaud loved bowling on a spin-friendly track in Chennai and took 7/72 in 29.3 overs. His wickets included Vinoo Mankad, Polly Umrigar, Pankaj Roy, and Vijay Manjrekar, amongst others, as India was folded for 161 runs. Australia responded with 319, enough to win by an inning and five runs. Ray Lindwall’s speed (7/43) tore up the Indian batting in the second innings for 153 runs.

2. 100 & 9/154 vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 1957-58

This was the fourth test between South Africa and Australia and was played in Johannesburg. Richie Benaud made 100 after Australia captain Ian Craig won the toss and batted first, taking the team to 401 runs. Benaud then took 4/70 to bowl South Africa out for 203 runs in the first innings.

Then South Africa were asked to follow on and managed only 198 runs, as Benaud starred with 5/84 in the second innings. It was his best overall performance in a single Test match. He scored 329 runs and took 30 wickets during the series.

3. 121 vs West Indies, Kingston, 1954-55

This was the first of Benaud’s three Test hundreds. Australia had already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead when the teams met at Sabina Park for the fifth and final Test. West Indies had made 353 thanks to 155 by Clyde Walcott. In response, Australia hammered 758/8d, with Colin McDonald (127), Neil Harvey (204), Keith Miller (109), Ron Archer (128), and Richie Benaud (122) scoring centuries.

He reached fifty in 38 minutes and his first century in 78 minutes, making him the third fastest in Test cricket at the time. Johnson declared as soon as Benaud was sent off for 121 in just 96 minutes. Overall, he hit 18 fours and two sixes.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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