BENNETT_DIES_27JAN95

FORMER ACB CHAIRMAN FRED BENNETT DIES

Former Australian Cricket Board chairman Fred Bennett OBE has died unexpectedly here aged 79. Bennett was ACB chairman from 1983-87, the turbulent era when Kim Hughes resigned in tears as Australian captain and the rebel tours of South Africa surfaced. He managed six Australian tours, most of which were embroiled in some sort of controversy, between 1969 and 1981.

Bennett was an ACB delegate for 19 years and a delegate to the New South Wales Cricket Association, where he was vice-president, for 40 years. He was secretary of Balmain District Cricket Club for 26 years and president for another 19 until his death, and had been a secretary of the NSW Baseball Federation.

Bennett was awarded an OBE in 1978 for his services to cricket, and is survived by his wife Ciss. He was a life member of the NSWCA, MCC in Lord's and the Balmain Cricket Club.

During the Sheffield Shield match at the SCG, the New South Wales players wore black armband as a mark of respect.