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| quote: | Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN
and ian, youre quite magnanimous in victory. respect  |
I love the game, I've grown up on it (my dads a grade 2 umpire here, which means county 2nd XIs and the youth leagues) and it'd be going against the general spirits of the game to rub it in. You only have to look at the exchanges between Lee & Flintoff, or Warne & Pietersen to see that. Result aside, the whole spirit the series was played in was so refreshing, from the fans, the players & everyone involved.
On another note, from the poms side, it's goodbye to a legend of our screens, the face of cricket and probably the first guy who I associated cricket on tv with, Mr Benaud.
| quote: | Benaud bids farewell to England
September 13, 2005
KEVIN Pietersen's marvellous effort upstaged all Australians at The Oval today, even Richie Benaud's fond farewell to English television audiences.
After 42 years in English commentary boxes, the former Australian captain signed off from his last stint on air in England as the home team closed in on Ashes glory.
But just as he signed off on Channel Four with "and it's been great fun", he had to add "but not for the batsman" after Pietersen was finally bowled by Glenn McGrath for his Ashes winning knock of 158.
Benaud, 74, made his debut for the BBC in 1963 and went on to commentate on 235 Tests.
He was overwhelmingly voted England's favourite cricket commentator earlier this year and received a standing ovation from the crowd and the players at The Oval today.
While the crowd paid tribute to Benaud, he lauded the current standard of cricket.
"The last two years have been the best I've watched and commentated on in 57 years," he said.
"It's been exciting, skilful, there's been some wonderful fielding."
Before Pietersen interrupted Benaud's goodbye, he had delivered his farewell speech.
"Thank you for having me," he said.
"It's been absolutely marvellous. I've loved every moment of it.
"It's been a privilege to be going into everyone's living room."
He will remain behind a microphone in Australia, however, as he recently signed a new three-year deal with Channel Nine. |
this man was classy, never showed any bias for anyone, and had some great one liners, especially this series when Flintoff had hit warne for a huge six straight down the ground, camera pans to warnes head watching it and stays on it, and richie pipes up "it's gone son" pure legend 
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