“RIP Martin Crowe, thoughts with family and friends”.
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Crowe played 77 tests and scored 17 test centuries – the most by a New Zealander – and finished with a test average of 45.
He first established himself in New Zealand’s middle order on a 1983 England tour, gleaning confidence from a handful of moderate scores – his best was a first-innings 46 in the third test at Lord’s.
Crowe is survived by his wife, 1983 Miss Universe victor Lorraine Downes, and two stepchildren.
As captain, he led New Zealand to the 1992 World Cup semi-finals – his desire to see the Black Caps lift the trophy in 2015 typical of his unflinching, unshakeable passion for cricket.
Martin Crowe was a batsman in the classical mode, standing tall at the crease, using his feet with great expertise and playing spin and fast bowling with equal assurance.
“So thanks then to Martin Crowe for all the hard work, for some fine cricket, and for being a great leader for New Zealand”, Mr Hague said.
This included 17 centuries, the most by a New Zealand cricketer, while his 299 against Sri Lanka in Wellington in January 1991 stood as a national record until recently-retired New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum scored 302 against India in Wellington in 2014. He had previously been married to interior designer Simone Curtice, from whom he separated in 1996, while he also had a daughter with Suzanne Taylor.
His passing is a tremendous blow for New Zealand cricket, and an awfully sad day for the cricketing world writ large.
Crowe turned out for former club Cornwall and aimed to once again play for Auckland but, after sustaining four muscle injuries in as many months, he admitted his body was unable to withstand the rigours of the sport.
Crowe was diagnosed with lymphoma in October 2012 before announcing he was cancer free in mid-2013.
However in 2014 the disease returned, and Crowe was given a grim prognosis. “As many of us know, cancer is not kind”, Morrison said. “Yet he spoke with a growing and renewed confidence of his desire to help others”.
Arguably the greatest batsman his country has produced, Crowe’s achievements during a run-hungry career were formally acknowledged in February when he was inducted into the ICC’s Hall of Fame.
One of his last public appearances was at the New Zealand Cricket awards last April when he gave a heartfelt speech congratulating the retiring Daniel Vettori on his career.
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“My precarious life ahead may not afford me the luxury of many more games to watch and enjoy”.
