Saturday 11 April 2015 16:15, UK
Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler pays an emotional tribute to a fellow master of his trade, Richie Benaud, who passed away at the age of 84.
The passing of Richie Benaud will leave a huge gap in the lives of all sports lovers.
The millions of listeners he charmed will never hear his like again - the unique combination of wonderful words, the upholding of playing the game properly, a tremendous journalistic sense of what the action meant, all topped off by his inside knowledge from being a great cricketer and captain.
For those of us who have tried to follow in his footsteps, there has been no better example of how to broadcast sport. It is a crusade for perfection which is impossible to achieve but no one has come closer than Richie.
As a flatmate of Test captains Bob Willis and Geoff Howarth, I was fortunate to be in his company occasionally. He was always generous to young cricketers and their friends.
His praise in print and on the air of Bob was a main reason why the England selectors plucked him from obscurity into the Ashes Tour of 70-71. Few knew his potential then but Richie did, and as usual how right he was.
I have been asked countless times who is my favourite commentator. The answer was and always will be, Richie Benaud.
My deepest sympathies to his family. Marvellous was his word and marvellous was his life.
