Former Australian cricket captain Richie Benaud will retire from television commentary next year, he announced on Wednesday.

The 78-year-old told Sydney radio he was quitting after his current contract ends in 12 months.

"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," he said.

Benaud played 63 Tests for Australia [Images] between 1952 and 1964, captaining his country 28 times but was just as well known for his media work as his playing career.

He began a full-time career in cricket commentary after his retirement, splitting his time between Britain and Australia.