Benaud recovering after car crash

Richie Benaud, the former Australia captain turned renowned commentator, is recovering in hospital following a car crash in Sydney. He is described as being in a stable condition

The accident happened when Benaud, 83, was driving home in his vintage 1963 Sunbeam Alpine on Wednesday after playing golf. It is being reported that he has shoulder and chest injuries, as well as suffering a broken sternum.

"No one else was injured, and I was more worried about the car than myself," Benaud told Nine News.

A statement from Australian broadcaster Channel Nine said Benaud "was driving home alone to Coogee mid-morning yesterday when the accident happened. Police attended and there were no charges. The car had mounted a nature strip and hit a small brick wall."

Nine Entertainment chief executive officer David Gyngell added: "Richie is a national treasure. In the Nine family, he sits at the head of the table.

"As always he and [wife] Daphne have our support and Richie will return to call the coming Ashes series against England - his 36th summer in Nine's Wide World of Sports commentary box - when he is good and ready.''