The voice of summer reason

One Wednesday in December 1960 we remember
Image for the ages, a run-out tied the score
Fall of the last wicket brought joy back into cricket
Worrell's tour Down Under elevated to folklore

Captain of that series, an adventurer with theories
On cricket when distilled might say risk is not a sin
Six down at tea, Hall firing, self-belief inspiring
Benaud said to Bradman: we're going for a win

And so the many clashes versus England for the Ashes
Bowling May behind his legs a series-winning ball
Playing days completed as captain undefeated
In television Richie found new ways to enthral

Less more in his precision of words to colour vision
Never in winter painting pictures of the game
Driving evolution, the Packer revolution
Unassuming, private, humble with his fame

For decades every season, voice of summer reason
Now the wordsmith leaves us. Nothing is the same
His canny story-telling of cricket was compelling
Now silenced, flags half-mast. Vale, legend of the game