text: Richie Benaud, the legendary commentator described as the 'Godfather of cricket', has died at the age of 84. The iconic broadcaster passed away peacefully in his sleep overnight 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. 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'. In recognition of his towering stature, Prime Minister Tony Abbott has offered his family a state funeral. Scroll down for videos . 'Godfather of cricket': Legendary commentator and former Australia captain Richie Benaud has died aged 84 . Cricket commentator Richie Benaud has died aged 84 in a Sydney hospice after battling skin cancer . Respected: Benaud died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his wife Daphne (above) and family members . A veteran of 63 Test matches, Benaud played a key role in the formation of World Series Cricket in the 1970s . 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. Such was influence, his dry one-liners and impeccable delivery - including one simple word 'marvellous' - were adopted as part of the Australian lexicon. Former Australian spin bowler Shane Warne penned a heartfelt tribute on social media calling him the 'Godfather of cricket'. 'As a cricketer, commentator and as a person, you were the best there's ever been,' he wrote in a note to Benaud. 'For me it was an honour and a privilege to call you a close friend and mentor. 'We had so many wonderful times together, talking cricket and in particular, our love and passion of leg spin bowling. Former  captain Richie Benaud stands by a sculpture of himself at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2008 . Floral tributes have started to gather at the bronze statue of Richie Benaud at the Sydney Cricket Ground . The flags at the Sydney Cricket Ground were flying at half mast on Friday following Benaud's death . As a player, Benaud was a trailblazing all-rounder who took 248 wickets and scored 2,201 runs in 63 Tests while never losing a series in charge of his country. He enjoyed a remarkable Test career as a wily leg-spin bowler and middle-order batsman which ended with his retirement in 1964. Benaud scored three Test centuries and once hit 11 sixes in a first class innings. After retiring, Benaud became a commentary icon initially with the BBC in England and later in his native Australia. In a broadcast career spanning more than five decades, he was instrumental in establishing one-day cricket on television. Such was influence, his dry one-liners and impeccable delivery - including one simple word 'marvellous' - were adopted as part of the Australian lexicon. 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. At the time of his death, Benaud had witnessed - as both player and commentator - well over 500 Test matches. Benaud was born in Penrith in western Sydney in October 1930. Warne also thanked Benaud for the support he gave to him as a young cricketer. 'Richie, you were loved by everyone, not just the cricket family, you were the godfather of cricket and you will be missed by all.' Australian Test captain Michael Clarke said Benaud was a gentleman who played cricket in the right spirit. 'He was a great player and a great captain; a wonderful leader of men and he continued that off the field,' Clarke told the Nine Network. '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.' Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee said: 'When Richie walks into the Channel Nine box everyone stands up. 'When Richie was on, you'd see all the commentators listening in to see what Richie had to say. 'A lot of children growing up know him as a commentator but he's a great cricketer in his own right.' Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has offered Richie Benaud's family a state funeral following his death. 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 . 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 . Benaud was the face and voice of cricket, much admired, much imitated, and in his later years  a cult figure . Former Prime Minister John Howard greeted Richie Benaud at the Sydney Cricket Ground back in 2001 . Benaud and ex-Hampshire cricket captain and TV presenter Richie Benaud pictured here at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff during the first England v Australia Test match in 2009 . 'There would hardly be an Australian over the last 40 years who hasn't listened to Richie Benaud,' he told ABC radio on Friday. 'He certainly will be very, very much missed.' Benaud had anchored the Nine Network's cricket coverage in Australia for decades. 'Richie Benaud's passing has robbed us not only of a national treasure but a lovely man,' Nine Network CEO David Gyngell said in a statement. 'Richie earned the profound and lasting respect of everyone across the world of cricket and beyond. First as an outstanding player and captain, then as an incomparable commentator and through it all, as a wonderful human being.' The cricket commentator had been receiving radiation treatment for skin cancer since November when he was admitted to a Sydney hospice on Thursday . Richie Benaud married his wife Daphne in July 1967 . At the time of his death in Sydney overnight Benaud had witnessed - as both player and commentator - well over 500 Test matches. 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 . He enjoyed a remarkable Test career as a wily leg-spin bowler and middle-order batsman which ended with his retirement in 1964 . 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. 'If I knew, when I was at school and playing in my early cricket days, the problems that would have come if I didn't do something about protection of the head and using sunscreens and all sorts of things like that, I'd have played it differently. 'It's one of those things in life: you live and learn as you go along.' Benaud did, however, manage to voice a touching tribute to Phillip Hughes, who died when struck by a bouncer last November, which was screened before Australia's Test series against India last December. Hundreds of admirers dressed up as the legendary commentator during the Sydney Ashes Test of 2014 when Benaud lay in hospital with complications from a serious car accident some months earlier . Benaud was the mainstay in Australian cricket television commentary with crowd members even dressing up as him as he became something of a cult figure in his later years . 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. His Australian record Test tally of 248 wickets has since been overtaken by many, most notably fellow legspinner Shane Warne, whose career tally of 708 was unimaginable in Benaud's day. Benaud scored three Test centuries and once hit 11 sixes in a first class innings. Shane Warne penned a heartfelt tribute to Richie Benaud on social media on Friday . 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. The Nine Network will air a special on the life of cricketing great Richie Benaud on Saturday night at 7pm. Nine will screen Richie Benaud: A Marvellous Life 1930-2015 about the public, private and cricketing achievements of the former Australian cricket captain and legendary commentator.
target: 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 .
  Tributes flowed in  to the legendary 'Godfather of cricket' from all circles .
  Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott offers his family a state funeral .