Sydney, Feb. 21 : Noted cricket commentator Richie Benaud has revealed that the motivation for pulling up stumps was primarily a desire to see a new anchorman on Channel Nine for the 2010 Ashes series.

"There''s quite a good reason for that because it''s the Ashes year and it''s necessary for Channel Nine to get another commentator to come in for the Ashes series," Benaud said.

"You need to get commentators in and let them have a bit of experience. I''m retiring from commentary, but not from working 22 hours a day," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying.

Melbourne, Feb 18 : One of the greatest sports commentators and the voice of cricket in Australia for nearly half a century, Richie Benaud, has revealed his intention to retire from all television commentary.

Benaud let the revelation slip in a radio interview with 2GB's Chris Smith today.

"I'll be doing Australian cricket next year - 2010, but I don't do any television at all anywhere else now and when I finish next year, then I'll be doing other things," the Daily Telegraph quoted Benaud, as saying.