Benaud offered state funeral

The Prime Minister has offered a state funeral to the family of cricket great Richie Benaud.

The former Australian captain and renowned commentator has died, aged 84, having had treatment for skin cancer.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Benaud was the "voice of cricket".

"There would be very few Australians who have not passed a summer in the company of Richie Benaud," he said on Friday.

"His voice was even more present than the chirping of the cicadas in our suburbs and towns and that voice, tragically, is now still."

Mr Abbott said Benaud had been a remarkable cricketer, having led Australia in 28 Tests and never lost a series.

He was also the first cricketer to achieve a remarkable double - 2000 Test runs and 200 Test wickets.

"This is the greatest loss for cricket since the loss of Don Bradman and for that reason I'm pleased to have offered the Benaud family a state funeral," the prime minister said.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said Australia had lost a legend of cricket and its "voice of summer".

"Sad day for our country. Farewell & rest in peace Richie Benaud," he tweeted.