RIP Martin Crowe

Former New Zealand captain Martin Crowe has died of cancer at the age of 53.

The ex-Black Caps batsman had been suffering from lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system, for a second time.

He received the all-clear from the disease in 2012 but confirmed in September 2014 that it had returned.

Auckland-born Crowe is widely regarded as one of New Zealand's best batsman, scoring 17 centuries and 5,444 runs in 77 Tests at an average of 45.36.

His family announced his death "with heavy hearts", adding that he "passed away peacefully" on Thursday.

Crowe captained the Kiwis in 16 Test matches and his highest score was 299 against Sri Lanka in Wellington in 1991.

Named one of Wisden's Cricketers of the Year in 1985, he was player of the tournament at the 1992 World Cup, scoring 456 runs in nine matches.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/32680286

RIP mate.

Very sad news. He was a lovely batsman. I saw him twice get 100s for NZ at Lord's. Effortless timing. When he played for Somerset they were impressed with the way he got on with the players. A great loss.

Whilst captaining in the 1992 World Cup, New Zealand lost only two matches. Former captain of Pakistani cricket team, Rameez Raja said
Martin Crowe was an imaginative leader who maximized his team's potential and resources by thoughtful captaincy and out-of-the-box tactics to flummox oppositions. He used the local conditions brilliantly and made the opposition think and admit to New Zealand's presence in the 1992 World Cup. His famous trick was Dipak Patel with the new ball, which turned out to be a master stroke, a move that was tailor-made to extract advantage out of New Zealand pitches and it stunned the opposition with a bit of drama as well. The off spinner showed great control with the new ball and bowled an aggressive line to pick up wickets.[19]

This is what I remember him for. Remember Imran saying that pakistan won a game against New zealand simply because Crowe was off the field. Great captain and a sad loss.

It was known and he knew it and he emotionally alluded to it when NZ made it to the finals.

In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. Abraham Lincoln

Crowe had plenty of life in his 53 years...was the leading batsman in the world in his purple patch of about 4 to 5 years in late eighties, when his batting and Hadlee's purple patch in bowling saw NZ topple the high and mighty of world cricket.
One of my favorite all time cricketers.

May he RIP

It's very sad news. I got a bit of a shock when I heard about it around lunchtime today despite the fact that we all knew he was very ill.

I saw him a few times when NZ toured here back in the 80s especially. Great captain, solid-as-a-rock batsman who always seemed to steady the ship and 'torment' the Australians in a calm and measured way. He will be dearly missed.

I mainly saw him playing for Somerset when I was down at Bath University. Will always remember him wielding what seemed to be a railwayd sleeper of a Fearnley bat with apparent ease and elegance. He always had time for spectators, especially the kids in a completely "image free" way.

Martin Crowe RIP. Some lovely tributes from other posters. Undoubtedly Crowe was one of the very best New Zealand cricketers of all time.

A bit of trivia for you, Martin appeared as an extra in "Gladiator", at his funeral on Thursday the "Gladiator" was a pall bearer.

Great player of his day, who batted with style. A shame his knees hindered what could have been a truly great career.