LEGENDARY Australian cricketer and commentator Richie Benaud has died in a Sydney hospice this morning. He was 84.

The much-loved face of Channel Nine’s cricket coverage for decades, Benaud had been receiving radiation treatment for skin cancer since November.

He did not feature in Nine’s commentary team during the past two seasons but made an appearance at the network’s season launch in November 2014.

The year before, he suffered complications after crashing his Sunbeam Alpine convertible car on the way home from his regular golf game, suffering a broken sternum as well as shoulder and chest injuries.

He is survived by his wife Daphne.

“It’s obviously really sad and an extremely tough time,” Australian captain Michael Clarke said.

“What he’s done off the field is an amazing example to a lot of sportsmen.”

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has offered the Benaud family a state funeral.

Benaud became one of the leading figures of Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket revolution in the 70s, giving the fledgling breakaway group the voice of authority it required.

As a leg-spinning all-rounder, he played 63 Tests for Australia, scoring three centuries with his 2201 runs coming at an average of 24.45.

His 248 Test wickets came at an average of 27.03. As captain, he reclaimed the Ashes in 1958-59 and then defended them twice.

Cricket scribe Gideon Haigh described Benaud as “perhaps the most influential cricketer and cricket personality since the Second World War” in his profile on espncricinfo.com.

“Few cricketers have matured so gradually yet ripened so fruitfully as Richie Benaud,” Haigh wrote.

“With little to show for his first six years in Test cricket, he blossomed as a fully fledged allrounder in South Africa in 1957-58, then flowered as a charismatic captain at home against England in 1958-59. He repossessed the Ashes, which his teams then successfully defended twice.

“As a legspinner, he was full of baits and traps, and he batted and fielded with verve. Yet it was his presence, as much as anything, which summoned the best from players: cool but communicative, he impressed as one to whom no event was unexpected, no contingency unplanned for. The same has applied to his journalism: terse, direct and commonsensical, and his broadcasting: mellow and authoritative.”

Former cricketer Brett Lee told The Today Show this morning it was well known Benaud was very sick, “but it’s still such a shock”.

Lee said Benaud was a “legend of the game, legend of the cricket box”.

“He had time for everyone,” he said.

“His funeral, whenever it happens, will probably be the biggest one Australia has ever seen.”

Former Australian captain and Channel 9 colleague Mark Taylor said Benaud was “a lovely man, a very open man”.

“He didn’t take himself or the game as seriously as people thought. He enjoyed the game. He saw it as a form of entertainment,” Taylor said.

“He loved commentating. He spent 40 years enjoying the game from the commentating box.

“A guy who could live with the emotions of the game (referring to the loss of Phillip Hughes) that come with the game of cricket but at the same time one of the last times we heard him was doing the lamb ad.”

Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard remembered Benaud’s enthusiastic captaincy, recalling how players first began the tradition of converging on a teammate when he held a catch under his leadership.

“He’ll be remembered by all cricket followers of that era for the series against the West Indies in 1960-61 where we had the tied test and the wonderful draw in Adelaide, it was just a fabulous series,” Howard said.

“He brought a certain spirit and enthusiasm to (the captaincy).”

As a commentator, Howard said Benaud was “in so many ways the face of cricket to millions of Australians”.

“I never heard anybody criticise him. I found universal repsect. He was regarded as a true professional when it came to cricket commentary. He didn’t waste words,” Howard said.

Nine Entertainment Co. CEO David Gyngell released the following statement on the passing of Benaud:

“Richie Benaud’s passing has robbed us not only of a national treasure, but a lovely man.

“Richie earned the profound and lasting respect of everyone across the world of cricket and beyond — first as an outstanding player and captain, then as an incomparable commentator, and through it all as a wonderful human being.

“Richie is a true legend not only to all the people who knew him, but to the many millions who didn’t. Which speaks volumes. He’s been part of the Australian psyche.

“Since way back in 1977 Richie has been a much loved member of the Nine family. More than that, he sat at the head of our table. We shall miss him dearly, but we’ll forever treasure his indelible memory and all the marvellous values for which he stood.

“Cricket is very much the richer for Richie Benaud’s lifelong engagement. And so are we all. Our deepest sympathies go to Daphne and Richie’s family.”

Nine’s Head of Sport, Steve Crawley, added: “You didn’t have to know Richie to love him. Everything about him. Best in the business bar none. We will miss him the way you miss loved ones. And at the same time we will thank our lucky stars he came our way at all.”

There has been an outpouring of emotion on social media, led by Prime Minister Abbott and Australian coach Darren Lehmann.

A sad day for Australia. We have lost a cricketing champion and Australian icon. What an innings. RIP Richie Benaud — Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) April 9, 2015

Our thoughts are with the Benaud family at this time, RIP one of the games all time greats! He will be missed by the whole cricketing world. — Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) April 9, 2015

Public are welcome to pay their respects & visit #RichieBenaud sculpture. Entry via Alan Davidson Gates 10am to 4pm today & all weekend. — Sydney Cricket Grnd (@scg) April 9, 2015

An extremely sad day, with the passing of Richie Benaud. A cricket icon and a broadcasting legend. We'll miss you at the 'G, Richie. — Melbourne Cricket Gd (@MCG) April 9, 2015

Sad to hear the passing of the voice of cricket, great player and a true gentleman. R.I.P Richie Benaud. — David Warner (@davidwarner31) April 10, 2015

Very sad to hear the news that the great Richie Benaud has passed! #truelegend #RIP — Nathan Lyon (@NathLyon421) April 9, 2015

RIP Richie Benaud. The greatest cricket commentator of them all & a wonderful man. #MourningEveryone — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 9, 2015

Very sad news about Ritchie Benaud. A legend of Australian cricket & the commentary box. We've lost a true Aussie icon 😢 RIP Ritchie — Glenn McGrath (@glennmcgrath11) April 9, 2015