Benaud stable after crash

Sydney - Legendary cricket commentator Richie Benaud was in a stable condition in hospital on Thursday after driving his car into a brick wall.

The former Australia captain, who has worked in the commentary box since retiring from Test cricket in 1964, was driving to his Sydney home on Wednesday when he mounted the curb and hit the wall.

The 83-year-old, who is due to commentate on the Ashes series against England for Channel Nine starting next month, suffered chest and shoulder injuries.

A Nine statement said he was expected to be hospitalised for several days.

"No one else was injured, and I was more worried about the car than myself," Benaud said in the statement, of the vintage 1963 Sunbeam Alpine that he was driving.

Police attended the scene but no charges have been laid.

Nine chief executive David Gyngell said Benaud was "a national treasure" and he would return to the commentary box "when he is good and ready".