Australia's most famous cricket commentator Richie Benaud died on Friday aged 84, with the former Test captain reportedly passing away in his sleep.

Benaud revealed in November last year that he had been diagnosed with skin cancer.

Cricket Australia led the tributes to a man who has defined Australian cricket for over half a century, labelling him a "commentary legend".

The national cricket governing body's obituary declared: "After Don Bradman, there has been no Australian player more famous than Richie Benaud.

"Benaud stood at the top of the game throughout his rich life, first as a record-breaking leg-spinner and captain, and then as cricket's most famous – and most impersonated – broadcaster."

According to Australia's Channel 9, Benaud passed away in his sleep during the night between Thursday and Friday.

Born on October 6, 1930 in the Sydney suburb of Penrith, Benaud played 63 Tests for Australia between 1952 and 1964, while he was captain in 28 of them, winning 12.

An all-rounder, Benaud averaged 24.45 in Tests with the bat, scoring three centuries and nine 50s.

Benaud was renowned for his leg-spin, taking 248 wickets at an average of 27.03, with Test-best figures of 7-72.

"Australia never lost a series when Benaud was in charge, thanks to his aggressive, thoughtful leadership, which included a knack for switching the field shortly before a breakthrough," Cricket Australia wrote.

"He was in charge for 28 games, which was then a record, and was the country's first skipper to win a series in Pakistan."

But it was Benaud's post-playing career that he will be best remembered for, as the professional journalist became synonymous with Channel 9's cricket broadcasts from the 1970s.

"His crisp style, dry humour, understated delivery, and array of jackets made him a favourite of the masses," Cricket Australia's obituary continued.

"It's difficult to imagine many other professional talkers who would have found the awareness and sense of theatre to utter simply – when his treasured art of leg-spin was formally reborn by Warne's debut Test delivery on English soil, later dubbed 'the ball of the century' – and after a second or two of silence, "he's done it", followed by more dead air."