In a poignant and stylish farewell, the iconic fan group known as 'The Richies' suited up for one last time at the Sydney Cricket Ground this week, bringing a beloved two-decade tradition to a close. The Daily Mail was on hand to capture the emotional final day as more than 600 members paid homage to the late, great Australian cricket legend and commentator, Richie Benaud.
A Fitting Finale for a Cricket Icon
The gathering took place on Day Two of the Fifth Ashes Test, a fitting stage for the group's last hurrah. For over twenty years, 'The Richies' have been a staple of the Sydney Test, instantly recognisable in their beige suit jackets and silver wigs, mimicking the iconic style of Benaud himself. The tradition began in the summer of 2009-10, co-founded by Michael Hennessy, after fans read reports it could be Benaud's final year in the Channel Nine commentary box.
They wanted to show appreciation for the man whose voice had defined the Australian summer for decades. What started with the simple donning of a jacket evolved into a rich set of traditions, from carrying oversized commentary microphones to marking 2.22pm in honour of Benaud's famous pronunciation of 'two'.
New Generation Joins the Final Salute
The legacy of Richie Benaud, who passed away in 2015, clearly extends far beyond those who saw him play or commentate. The final meeting attracted a new generation of fans, some travelling significant distances to be part of cricketing history. James, 21, who moved from the Sunshine Coast to Canberra, told the Daily Mail he seized the chance "to be part of the Richie culture" after watching them on TV for years.
Another rookie Richie, Will, travelled over two hours from Jervis Bay with seven friends, stating, "being the last one, we thought it was a pretty good opportunity to come up and have a go." For 20-year-old Sam, the motivation was to honour "someone who did so much for the sport... and was just really the face of cricket for so many years."
Celebrating in True Richies Style
The day began with a 'pre-show' function outside the ground, attended by comedian and 12th man Billy Birmingham, before the group packed out Bay 27 at the SCG. It was one of their biggest ever turnouts. Throughout the day, the familiar rituals played out: the mock commentary, the 2.22pm moment, and even a trumpet-style rendition of the Wide World of Sports theme song by group leaders.
Co-founder Michael Hennessy reflected to Nine, "He's the voice of cricket and was an Australian icon. Throughout his playing career and his commentary career, he was really marvellous." Their final day coincided with a thrilling session of Test cricket, featuring a century from England's Joe Root, and followed a heartfelt collaboration with the Barmy Army for the 'Pink Test' opening, showing that some things transcend even the fiercest Ashes rivalry.
The Richies' final tribute was a powerful testament to the enduring impact of Richie Benaud, uniting fans of all ages in a shared, and now cherished, piece of cricket history.
