Daphne Benaud has politely declined a state funeral for her late husband . The wife of the legendary cricket commentator has settled on a gathering with only immediate family indicating this is what he would have wanted . A friend who was at the dinner said it had been arranged by his daughter and that she did not want to be involved in any way He had been receiving radiation treatment for skin cancer since November . Benaud had witnessed , as player and commentator , over 500 Test matches . Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott offered his family the state funeral .
Daphne Benaud has politely declined a state funeral for her late husband . The wife of the legendary cricket commentator has settled on a gathering with only immediate family indicating this is what he would have wanted . Former Australian captain died peacefully in his sleep at a Sydney hospice . He had been receiving radiation treatment for skin cancer since November . Benaud had witnessed , as player and commentator , over 500 Test matches . Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott offered his family the state funeral .