Former Australia cricket captain and renowned commentator Richie Benaud has reportedly died in his sleep in a Sydney hospice aged 84.

Benaud, arguably the most influential Australian cricketer post-World War II, had been receiving treatment for skin cancer since November.

A veteran of 63 Test matches, Benaud played a pivotal role in the formation of World Series Cricket in the 1970s and was one of the world’s most recognised commentators, anchoring the Nine Network’s cricket coverage for decades.

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In an interview last year, Mr Benaud mourned the fact that sun protection was unpopular during his childhood and early career.

The all-round cricketer, captain and commentator retired from international cricket in 1964. Photo: Getty

“When I was a kid we never ever wore a cap,” he said.

“I wish I had.

“If I knew, when I was at school and playing in my early cricket days, the problems that would have come if I didn’t do something about protection of the head and using sunscreens and all sorts of things like that, I’d have played it differently.”

Former cricketer Brett Lee told Channel Nine this morning the funeral for the “legend” will “probably be the biggest one Australia has ever seen”.

“It’s still such a shock,” Mr Lee said despite Benaud’s age and long illness.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he will be “very, very much missed”.

“There would hardly be an Australian over the last 40 years who hasn’t listened to Richie Benaud,” the PM told ABC radio.

“He certainly will be very, very much missed.”

Benaud had been unable to return to the commentary box for the past two seasons because due to the radiation therapy he was undergoing, as well as injuries sustained in a car accident.

The crash outside his Sydney home left him with two fractured vertebrae.

He retired from international cricket in 1964 after having played more than 60 Tests as an all-rounder, 28 of them as Australian captain.

Benaud began his long commentating career at the BBC while still captaining the side in 1960.

He was long regarded the nation’s best leg-spinner until the advent of Shane Warne.

He ended his career with a Test batting average of 24.45 and bowling average of 27.03.

He is survived by his wife Daphne.

The Prime Minister has offered his family a state funeral.

—with AAP.