Richie Benaud recovering in hospital following crash

Former Australian captain and cricket commentator Richie Benaud has been hospitalised following a car crash in Sydney.

The 83-year-old was driving to his home in Coogee alone after a round of golf when he mounted a nature strip and hit a brick wall, causing chest and shoulder injuries.

He was whisked to the Prince of Wales Hospital, where he has been described as "in fine spirits and good humour" in a statement released by the Channel Nine network.

Benaud appeared on British television for Channel 4 and BBC Sport for 42 years before returning to his homeland with Channel Nine.

He himself is quoted by the Herald Sun as saying: "No-one else was injured, and I was more worried about the car than myself."

The former all-rounder captained the Aussies from 1958 until his retirement in 1964.