After a prolonged fight against lymphoma, Martin Crowe, New Zealand’s greatest ever batsmen passed away last week in Auckland aged just 53.
A statement from his family headed “God Speed, Rest in Peace” said he had died peacefully, surrounded by family.
Crowe was initially diagnosed in 2012 with Lymphoma but had announced only eight months later that he was in remission from the disease, although had remained cautious of his good health given advice from doctors that the disease may very well return.
Late 2014 Crowe announced that the diseases had again returned tweeting that ‘’his friend and tough taskmaster Lymphoma is back to teach me again.’’ Indeed Crowe had been diagnosed with a double-hit Lymphoma and given only a five percent chance he would survive the next twelve months.
Following his death tributes have flown in from those who knew Crowe both on and off the field as well as countless members of the public who have shown their gratitude for all that Crowe contributed towards New Zealand Cricket.
“Very sad to hear of the passing of Martin Crowe this morning. An inspiration to me and so many others. One of our true greats,” said fellow New Zealand Cricketer Stephen Fleming.
Crowe's cousin and Hollywood actor Russel Crowe also tweeted saying “My champion, my friend, my hero. I will love you forever.”
Crowe will be remembered as one of New Zealand’s greatest batsmen with one the country's best records.
After making his first-class debut for Auckland as just a teenager, Crowe then went on to represent New Zealand in 77 tests, scoring 5,444 runs at an average of 45.36 and making 17 centuries, the most by any Kiwi.
Up until Brendon McCullum’s 302 against India in 2014, Crowe held the record for the highest individual by any Kiwi, falling just short of his triple century on 299 against Sri Lanka back in 1991.
Crowe also excelled at the shorter format of the game scoring 4,704 runs over his ODI career at an average of 38.55.
In 1991 he was named New Zealand Sportsman of the Year and the following year was made a Member of the Order for his services to cricket. Crowe was also inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in a ceremony early last year during a World Cup match between New Zealand and Australia.