The rumours, I'm afraid, are true. After five happy years bouncing around the world's computer screens it's time to call it a day and return to my vineyard just outside Silicon Valley.

It's been joy, it's been fun, it's been seasons in the sun, but all things must pass and my time bringing you desktop cricket news and views is at an end.

The guys at Channel 4 requested an interview to mark the occasion, but it's not really my scene unless serious awards are on the table, so instead I had a word with Richie and asked him to do the honours on my behalf. This is what The King of Beige had to say:

C4: You've retired from TV broadcasting in this country, but would you consider returning to the airwaves on the radio, say Test Match Special, if you were asked?

RB: Although I started on BBC Radio and as a cricket writer for the News of the World in 1960 when I was captain of Australia, as well as a journalist, future radio work isn't on my agenda. I will be working on free-to-air television in Australia for Channel Nine for at least the next three years, also writing on the game and, in any case, Daphne and I will be spending at least the next two northern summers in England and France. We will also be continuing our work as International Sports Consultants. The only thing we will not be doing is any more cricket work on television in the United Kingdom.

C4: Your retirement means that we also wave goodbye to the nation's favourite computer mini-me, Desktop Richie. Does Desktop Richie have a final word for his fans?

RB: Desktop Richie was a great innovation by Channel 4 and there has been a wonderful feedback from the little guy in the cream jacket. I think he has worked well for both the network and the Benauds. Only one little thing, I'd have liked his sandwiches to be made with brown grain bread. It fits in more with my diet and I like grain bread!

C4: Will there be a tear in the eye when the final delivery is bowled at the Oval or will you remain ultra-professional to the last?

RB: Why would I shed a tear after having had the greatest fun over the past 42 years on free-to-air television in England, which has included watching part of the more than 500 Tests matches I have seen? It's like retiring from playing the game. Just be grateful for having had the good fortune to play 63 Test matches and then be allowed to commentate on matches and be part of taking television, and the story of each day's play, to millions of people around the country.

C4: In all your years behind the microphone in the UK, do you have a favourite moment from the commentary box?

RB: Shane Warne bowling Mike Gatting at Old Trafford in 1993. It was the first ball Warne had bowled in a Test in England and I was actually televising the session for Channel Nine Australia rather than BBC in that half-hour. It was a brilliant piece of bowling and was just part of Warne's career as the greatest leg-spin bowler ever to play the game.

C4: Australian and English rivalry has always been incredibly intense. Do you think it now verges on the unhealthy, particularly in the tabloid press and in the stands?

RB: No. Some of the coverage has been verging on the bizarre, but the game has, for the moment, pushed football out of the lead stories. Normally rational human beings have been hiding behind the sofa so the TV screen is out of sight. This is the first time in 18 years England have had a real chance to regain the Ashes, though they still have to survive The Oval. What I want there is a result. I don't, under any circumstances in such a great series, want to see a drawn game. I will be happy with England 3-1 or Australia 2-2 and retaining the Ashes. Bear in mind that although England have outplayed Australia in the last three Tests, Australia have fought hard enough to have only a cat's whisker between the teams at the moment. Don't write off Australia, they are often at their most difficult to beat when times are tough.

C4: Every cricket fan in the UK will have lapsed into a Richie Benaud impression at some point in their life. And many a professional impressionist too. Have you found the relentless mimicking of your voice amusing, flattering, or perhaps irksome?

RB: I like satire, so I'm a Rory Bremner fan. Some of the mimics would do well not to give up their day jobs. The only thing I object to is the dishonesty where I suddenly find I am advertising things like computers or motor car tyres, etc, with someone mimicking my voice and pretending I'm advising people to make a purchase. There's one in Australia at the moment where the voice, pretending to be me, is telling children they should buy certain breakfast cereals. That is nothing but dishonest!

C4: Throughout the years covering Ashes tests, you've come across as remarkably impartial, so much so that you're considered a British sporting institution. Although you appear neutral on the outside, is your heart still beating fast for Australia on the inside, particularly in this series?

RB: If Australia are taking part in a contest, whether it is the Olympics, or cricket, tennis, football, etc, I would like them to win and my wife Daphne feels the same about England. One important thing I was taught by BBC was that you never use the word 'we'. What I want most is to see a good contest so I'm able to impart all the information to viewers.

C4: Has this summer's Channel 4 commentary team been the finest ever assembled in your opinion? Over the years, have you enjoyed working with, or had a special rapport with, a particular fellow commentator?

RB: No. The Channel 4 commentary team is outstanding, but I worked with some great teams when I was with BBC free-to-air for 36 years, Channel Nine Australia for 28 years and now Channel 4 over a six-year period. Mark Nicholas is the best presenter I have known, Tony Lewis was brilliant on BBC, Michael Atherton improves every match on Channel 4. However, I don't have any special rapport with any commentator anywhere in the world. I work well with everyone because, fortunately, all commentators have their own personalities and it is a good thing that we all have different styles.

C4: And finally, your passing from our screens will be an emotional moment for many cricket fans in this country. Will you miss us as much as we'll miss you?

RB: I'll certainly miss Channel 4, as I missed BBC when they lost the rights. You need to remember that, when the latter happened, I was not in line to do any more UK television, because the first Channel 4 press release said they wouldn't be employing any grey-haired old fogies in the comm box. Fortunately they changed their minds, and the flair and innovation shown by Channel 4 and Sunset+Vine, has been one of the great things I have experienced in 45 years of media work.

Me again! Well that's how the great man sees it, and who is he to disagree?

You can still download me for the remainder of the 5th Test, so don't delay.

Desktop Richie will run on any Windows platform. So no Macs, as some would have me say.

All you have to do is enter your email address in the box below, and then click 'Download Now'.

Email Address:

Tick box if you DO wish to receive other information from the Channel 4 group of companies.

Then either open the file from its current location, or save the file to disk and double click the file to begin the installation. They made me say that, I'm afraid.

If you're having any trouble then email us at webfeedback@cricket4.com

Once complete, an icon will appear on your desktop.