Shane Warne, Brett Lee, R Ashwin and more: Cricketing world takes to Twitter to mourn Benaud's passing

Within hours of his death on Friday, former Australia cricket captain and pioneering television commentator Richie Benaud was described as a “national treasure” and praised by his peers, current players and the country’s prime minister.

Benaud, 84, died overnight at a Sydney hospice, surrounded by his wife, Daphne, and other family members. He had been fighting skin cancer since late last year.

A veteran of 63 test matches, Benaud later played a pivotal role in the formation of World Series Cricket in the 1970s and was one of the world’s most recognized commentators, in Australia where he anchored the Nine Network’s cricket coverage for decades, and in Britain.

Tributes started flowing on Twitter and the cricketing world mourned the death of the ‘voice of cricket.

A sad day for Australia. We have lost a cricketing champion and Australian icon. What an innings. RIP Richie Benaud

— Tony Abbott (@HonTonyAbbott) April 9, 2015

RIP Richie Benaud. The greatest cricket commentator of them all & a wonderful man. #MourningEveryone

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 9, 2015

We will never hear the inimitable voice say "two two two for two"
RIP#richiebenaud

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) April 10, 2015

Richie Benaud a legend,my one of the favourite commentator has died today,RIP you were a true gentleman & Crickter. #richiebenaud@CricketAus

— Saeed Ajmal (@REALsaeedajmal) April 10, 2015

A sad day to hear about the loss of Richie Benaud #RIP https://t.co/B6oHa9QP7w

— @BrettLee_58 (@BrettLee_58) April 9, 2015

"And Glenn McGrath dismissed for two, just ninety-eight runs short of his century." What's your fondest memory of Richie Benaud?

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) April 9, 2015

Condolences to Richie Benaud and his family. Our prayers are with you

— Saqlain Mushtaq (@Saqlain_Mushtaq) April 9, 2015

Dear Richie,
I've known you & Daphne for close to 30 years & to everyone you were a legend on all… https://t.co/B2OSiW5Jon

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) April 10, 2015

Very sad to hear of the passing of the great Richie Benaud. We all grew up listening to his wisdom and advice. #RIP

— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) April 9, 2015

Sad to hear the passing of the voice of cricket, great player and a true gentleman. R.I.P Richie Benaud.

— David Warner (@davidwarner31) April 10, 2015

RIP Richie Benaud. In my childhood, Channel 9 showed me how wonderful cricket can look, and you showed me how great it can sound.

— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) April 10, 2015

Cricket has just lost one of the legends,cricket on TV won't sound the same http://t.co/hRkHBayiJQ Richie Benaud

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) April 10, 2015

There hasn't been a commentator who watched and heard Richie Benaud and wished he could be as good. It is a very sad day for our game.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 10, 2015

So sad to hear about the passing of Richie Benaud. The great voice of cricket is no more. He defined an era with conviction and sincerity

— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) April 10, 2015