Mitchell Starc when they made their test debut, but Benaud's own was lost early in his Test career, and former captain—now commentator and the Director of Cricket Australia, Mark Taylor—was to present the replacement cap to him at the semi-final of the 2015 Cricket World Cup between Australia and India at the SCG, but Benaud was too unwell to attend, and when the cap arrived at Channel 9 headquarters, it was the day before Benaud died. It was presented to his wife. Death In November 2014, at age 84, Benaud announced that he had been diagnosed with skin cancer. He died in his sleep on 10 April 2015. Prime Minister Tony Abbott offered his family a state funeral; however, his widow, Daphne, declined, respecting his wishes for a private funeral. Benaud was buried on 15 April, in a private funeral ceremony attended only by his immediate family. Later that same day, there was a commemoration service officiated by former teammate turned lay preacher Brian Booth; attendees included his family and close friends—among them former players, including Ian Chappell and Shane Warne, and Australian Test captain Michael Clarke. Recognition Benaud was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1961 for services to cricket. He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985. In 1999, he was awarded a Logie Award for Most Outstanding Sports Broadcaster. In 2007, he was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame at the Allan Border Medal award evening and in 2009 he was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. In November 2015, Benaud became an honouree at Bradman Foundation, having been a long-serving patron in his life. After rain interrupted the 2016 SCG Test against West Indies, the second day unofficially became Richie Benaud Day as 501 Benaud impersonators stayed at the SCG, which is a day before the annual Jane McGrath Day for Breast Cancer awareness and fundraising, which was again rained out. In 2017, the Australian Mint issued a 50-cent coin commemorating Benaud. In October 2018, Benaud became the 40th Legend in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. Books Benaud wrote a number of books: The Way of Cricket (1961) A Tale of Two Tests (1962) Spin Me a Spinner (1963) The New Champions (1966) Willow Patterns (1969) Test Cricket (1982) World Series Cup Cricket 1981–82 (1982) The Hottest Summer (1983) The Ashes