Aussie cricket tragics who gown as Richie Benaud carry the beloved custom to an finish on the SCG – and the Daily Mail is there

‘The Richies’ fan group, created to honour the late Australian cricket legend Richie Benaud, have suited up for one final time and gone out in style – and the Daily Mail was at the SCG for the occasion. 

More than 600 members of the group took to the Sydney Cricket Ground for Day Two of the Fifth Ashes Test to honour the iconic figure by dressing up as him in scenes that have become beloved by cricket fans around the world. 

After more than two decades of doing so, the group celebrated their final day with a ‘pre-show’-style function outside the ground, which we understand was attended by the 12th man, Billy Birmingham.

They then packed out Bay 27 at the SCG, with cricket fans of all ages coming together and sharing one final day honouring their hero. 

The group, which was co-founded by Michael Hennessy, began paying tribute to the former Australia cricket captain and commentator in the summer of 2009-10. 

After a collective of mad cricket fans read reports it might be Benaud’s final year on the Channel Nine cricket commentary team, they wanted to show their appreciation for his talents after he spent several decades as the most recognisable voice of the Aussie summer.   

Richie Benaud (pictured) became the most recognisable voice of the Aussie summer of cricket during his stellar commentary career

The cricket legend – who passed away in 2015 – captained the Australia Test side and took  248 wickets at an average of 27

Michael Hennessy (pictured) co-founded ‘The Richies’ group at the end of 2009 to pay tribute to his cricketing hero

They began by donning an iconic element of Richie’s style by wearing his famous beige suit jacket. 

But over time, more traditions revealed themselves, with the group becoming a staple of the Sydney Test match. 

The legacy of Benaud extends much further than just those who saw him play or watched him commentate. 

Youngsters who never saw him on the field or TV were on hand to take part in the final meeting of the Richies, with some travelling from far and wide. 

‘I grew up on the Sunshine Coast and moved to Canberra three years ago,’ 21-year-old James told the Daily Mail. 

‘My roommate, who had come down for the last couple of years, told me I should take part.’  

‘Having watched them on TV as a child and on TV recently. The opportunity came up to do something I had never done before. It’s great to be part of the Richie culture.’ 

Will, another one of the rookie Richies, also made a long trip to Sydney to get amongst it. 

Richies member James (pictured speaking to the Daily Mail) spoke glowingly about taking the chance to be a part of some cricketing history 

Sam (pictured left) always wanted to honour Richie Benaud after learning about his legacy 

The Richies (pictured) went out in fine style at the SCG on Monday 

‘We [Will and his seven friends] have travelled up from Jervis Bay, about two and a half hours away,’ he said. 

‘It’s something that we’ve always talked about as a group, and being the last one, we thought it was a pretty good opportunity to come up and have a go.’

Another one of the newest Richies revealed the chance to be part of something memorable spurred him on to take part. 

‘I mean, it’ll be like a piece of history, a piece of cricket history really, so it’s just great to be a part of,’ said 20-year-old Sam. 

‘It’s just really nice to honour someone who, like, did so much for the sport… and was just really the face of cricket for so many years.’ 

Members of the group started bringing oversized commentary microphones into the ground, and would speak into the mock devices all day. 

There’s also the well-known tradition of the group marking the moment the clock strikes 2.22pm, due to Benaud’s famous pronunciation of ‘two’, which became one of his trademarks. 

A few of the group’s leaders even perform a trumpet-style rendition of the Wide World of Sports theme song. 

The collective finished off their tenure in style, with one of their biggest turnouts yet. 

‘He’s the voice of cricket and was an Australian icon,’ co-founder Michael Hennessy told Nine. 

‘Throughout his playing career and his commentary career, he was really marvellous.’ 

Their final day donning the silver wigs and suits came on a very entertaining few sessions of Test cricket, which saw England great Joe Root score his second Ashes hundred in Australia. 

It also came a day after the Richies teamed up with the Barmy Army to form the McGrath Melodies outside the ground to open the ‘Pink Test’ in scenes that prove while the Ashes rivalry is strong, some things are more important.