Sir Richie Benaud

[south beds mikey]

Sorry to invade your forum two days in a row guys but I've been thinking about this for quite some time now.

How on Earth has the mighty and great Richie not had the sword on the shoulder yet?

We have a system online here in the UK where we can lobby the government to award anyone an honour; in fact the knighthood for Richie attracted many signatures a year or two ago but I fear our system only applies to British nationals. Is there a similar system in oz and if so how do we get the ball rolling?

I'm deadly serious about this guys and feel certain if only we could get the thing started we could drum up significant global support.

I don't think it's going over the top to say that Rich could be described as the current patriach of the world game. A brilliant player, and as a commentator unparallaled not just in cricket but in all sports the world over. I must be just one of millions (perhaps tens of millions) who had their love of our great game started by this doyen of sports journalists.

Come on guys. Lets make a real effort to hear "and now over to SIR Richie Benaud."

[Occasional Fan]

I wrote to the Cabinet Office to remind them about Richie in the winter before he finally stopped gracing the airwaves in the northern hemisphere. Received an acknowledgement of my letter, but I'm still waiting to see his name on the list. Somewhere in the archives of WAT you'll find a copy of the letter I sent in. I did a bit of research at the time to confirm (a) that Aussies are still eligible for inclusion in the New Year and Birthday lists (they are as far as the UK is concerned, and they can use "Sir" as a title, unlike many nationalities) and (b) that Australian law does not prevent them picking up a gong from Her Majesty (the Canadians can't according to their law, but the Aussies certainly could a couple of years ago).

As far as I am concerned, assuming that Richie would accept it if offered - and that's something I haven't checked! - he should be on the list.

[Nostromo]

I have wondered about this. Has RB said or done something anti-establishment? There are rumours that certain expressed opinions of Wally Hammond left him out of an offer of knighthood, but exactly what those opinions were, no one seems to know. Maybe it is something similar with Benaud. Otherwise, it makes no sense for the likes of Viv Richards & Beefy being knighted but not Benaud. IMO, one of cricket's finest representatives ever and as far as I know almost universally liked.

[acker]

They changed something about knighthoods and Australians about 10-12 years ago.

They no longer have the title "Sir" in front of the title...it's AO or something like that after the name instead.

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by south beds mikey

Come on guys. Lets make a real effort to hear "and now over to SIR Richie Benaud."

I wonder if it has something to do with his French lineage.

But "Sir Ritchie" does have a nice ring to it, and would suit him well.

I also reckon they should make Mark Nicholas a member of the order of the garter. The idea of him prancing around in a garter would suit him well too.

[acker]

Originally Posted by Seamer

I wonder if it has something to do with his French lineage.

Might be more about his French vintage being grown at "Chateau Benaud" where Ritchie directed his vineyard manager to make sure le bugs eating le grapes were le mort....re 12th man (Billy Birmingham's) "boned" CD

[Nostromo]

Yes, "Benaud" certainly sounds French, but since he is a born & bred Australian, surely they cannot hold his ancestry against him?

[acker]

Originally Posted by Nostromo

Yes, "Benaud" certainly sounds French, but since he is a born & bred Australian, surely they cannot hold his ancestry against him?

Prince Phil the pill might be frightened QE2 has got the hots for him.

[Occasional Fan]

The Royal Family is a pretty international mixture (German queen, Greek Duke of Edinburgh, three English princes who are respectively styled the Prince of Wales, Prince William of Wales and Prince Henry of Wales ... and I am sure there are plenty more examples hidden in the back rows of the portraits). I can't imagine Her Majesty giving a stuff about Richie's lineage! In any event, almost all Australians who have been honoured with a gong from Her Nibs will trace their forebears to somewhere outside Australia.

[Nostromo]

Originally Posted by acker

Prince Phil the pill might be frightened QE2 has got the hots for him.

If so, Monsieur Benaud should be the frightened one!