text: The wife of legendary cricket commentator, Richie Benaud, has politely declined the offer of a state funeral for her late husband. Daphne Benaud has reportedly settled on a private gathering with only immediate family, indicating the 'no fuss' approach is the way the former Test captain would have wanted it. The private service for Benaud, who died on Friday aged 84, will take place this week, News Corp reported on Sunday. 'Godfather of cricket': Legendary commentator and former Australia captain Richie Benaud died aged 84 . Respected: Benaud died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his wife Daphne (above) and family members . Richie Benaud, the legendary commentator described as the 'Godfather of cricket', passed away peacefully in his sleep overnight on Friday, surrounded by his wife Daphne and family. He had been receiving radiation treatment for skin cancer since November when he was admitted to a Sydney hospice on Thursday. In his recognition, Prime Minister Tony Abbott offered his family a state funeral, calling Benaud's death the 'greatest loss for cricket since the loss of Don Bradman.' While state funerals are usually reserved for politicians, Mr Abbott said ‘There would be very few Australians who have not passed a summer in the company of Richie Benaud.' News of his death threw the cricket world and beyond into mourning as tributes flowed in to a man remembered for his wry sense of humour, expertise and for simply being a 'true gentleman'. His sayings from the hundreds of Test and One Day cricket matches he commentated on across the world were often what fans remembered from important moments in these games . His dry one-liners and impeccable delivery - including one simple word 'marvellous' - were adopted as part of the Australian lexicon. Scroll down for videos . The cricket commentator had been receiving radiation treatment for skin cancer since November when he was admitted to a Sydney hospice on Thursday . A veteran of 63 Test matches, Benaud played a key role in the formation of World Series Cricket in the 1970s . Benaud's wife, Daphne politely declined Prime Minister Tony Abbott's offer of a state funeral for her husband . A veteran of 63 Test matches, Benaud played a pivotal role in the formation of World Series Cricket in the 1970s and was one of the world's most recognised commentators. In a broadcast career spanning more than five decades, he was instrumental in establishing one-day cricket on television. Masses of Australian cricketers, politicians and sportspeople penned heartfelt tributes on social media in the wake of his passing. Former Australian spin bowler Shane Warne called the champion leg spinner, the 'Godfather of cricket'. 'As a cricketer, commentator and as a person, you were the best there's ever been,' he wrote. Former captain Richie Benaud stands by a sculpture of himself at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2008 . Floral tributes gathered at the bronze statue of Richie Benaud at the Sydney Cricket Ground . 'Our country has lost a national treasure,' Cricket Australia chairman Wally Edwards said in a statement on Friday. 'After Don Bradman, there has been no Australian player more famous or more influential than Richie Benaud.' 'He loved winning. He helped the Australian team have the attitude where they wanted to win. He played the game the right way. 'There's no doubt he's certainly going to be missed.' Prime Minister David Cameron said: 'I grew up listening to Richie Benaud's wonderful cricket commentary. Like all fans of the sport, I will miss him very much.' Benaud was one of the world's most recognised commentators having initially started with the BBC in England before anchoring the Nine Network's cricket coverage in Australia for decades . Richie Benaud married his wife Daphne in July 1967 . A veteran of 63 Test matches, Benaud played a pivotal role in the formation of World Series Cricket in the 1970s and was one of the world's most recognised commentators . Former Prime Minister John Howard greeted Richie Benaud at the Sydney Cricket Ground back in 2001 . Benaud was born in Penrith in western Sydney in October 1930. He enjoyed a remarkable Test career as a wily leg-spin bowler and middle-order batsman which ended with his retirement in 1964. Benaud was the first player to score 2,000 Test runs and take 200 Test wickets yet was as much renowned for his captaincy - he never lost a Test series as Australian captain. After retiring, Benaud became a commentary icon initially with the BBC in England and later in his native Australia. He was the mainstay in Australian cricket television commentary until the past two summers - a car accident in 2013 sidelined him before he announced in November last year he had skin cancer. As a player, Benaud appeared in 63 Test matches between 1951 and 1963, becoming the first man from any nation to score 2000 Test runs and take 200 Test wickets . Penrith-born Benaud enjoyed a remarkable Test career as a wily leg-spin bowler and middle-order batsman which ended with his retirement in 1964 . 'When I was a kid we never ever wore a cap... because Keith Miller never wore a cap, ' Benaud said at the time. 'It's one of those things in life: you live and learn as you go along.' As captain he led Australia to four consecutive series victories, beginning with a 4-0 demolition of Peter May's 1958-59 tourists (Benaud took 31 wickets in the five tests). He never lost a series as captain. Shane Warne penned a heartfelt tribute to Richie Benaud on social media on Friday .
target: Daphne Benaud has politely declined a state funeral for her late husband .
  The wife of the legendary cricket commentator has settled on a gathering with only immediate family indicating this is what he would have wanted .
  Former Australian captain died peacefully in his sleep at a Sydney hospice .
  He had been receiving radiation treatment for skin cancer since November .
  Benaud had witnessed, as player and commentator, over 500 Test matches .
  Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott offered his family the state funeral .