Cricket commentating legend Richie Benaud reveals battle with skin cancer

Former Australian cricketer and legendary commentator Richie Benaud has revealed that he has skin cancer and is undergoing radiation therapy for the same.

84-year-old Benaud's announcement came as the 'voice of cricket' returned to the spotlight on Monday making his first public appearance in more than a year at the SCG with fellow cricket legends Mark Taylor, Shane Warne, Ian Chappell and Ian Healy as Channel Nine launched its summer of cricket.

Benaud revealed that he is coping with cancer very well and the doctors are pleased, News.com.au reported.

The legendary commentator admitted that he is going along slowly, and added that the cancers need to be treated.

Benaud used his announcement to warn others to take precautions in the sun. He recommended that everyone should wear protection on their heads, adding that eighty-four-year olds don't seem to mend as well as they used to.

Benaud said that when he was a kid, they never ever wore a cap, and wished that he had before admitting that one lives and learns as one goes along.

Commentating icon and former Test captain Benaud hasn't been heard on television screens in more than 18 months, after suffering major injuries in a car accident in October last year, when he was rushed to hospital with injuries to his shoulder, sternum and chest, the report added.