New Zealand cricket legend Martin Crowe's impact on the game, like his follow through, was just as elegant off the field as on.
The man regarded as one of New Zealand's best batsmen died today, aged 53, following a long battle with cancer.
A statement from his family announced "with heavy hearts" that Crowe died today surrounded by family.
"It is with heavy hearts that the family of Martin Crowe, MBE advise his death," the statement read.
The family have requested privacy.
Crowe had been diagnosed with follicular lymphoma in October 2012 and underwent treatment for the cancer but it returned in September 2014.
He chose not to continue with chemotherapy, opting instead to "chill out at home" as he managed his illness with natural remedies.
Crowe said his diagnosis had helped him realise what was important in life.
"The main thing is the love I have for the people around me, and I only really focus on compassion and forgiveness because that's the only way and I didn't use to do that at all.
"I took too long to grow up, and now I've got that perspective on what my life should be about I've probably never been happier."
Crowe's cousin, actor Russell Crowe, posted a tribute to his cousin on Twitter.
"My champion, my hero, my friend. I will love you forever. RIP M.D.Crowe," tweeted Russell Crowe.
Black Caps coach Mike Hesson and captain Kane Williamson paid tribute the cricket legend at Auckland Airport today before they boarded a flight to India for the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20 championship.
Hesson said Crowe was passionate about the game of cricket.
"He affected so many people in so many different ways. He was a passionate cricket person and a lot of people around the cricket world are mourning him," Hesson told ONE News.
Williamson said the team was still trying to digest the sad news about Crowe's death.
"It's a sad time to see a guy like Martin, who was so close to the country, to die at such a young age."
Williamson said Crowe's innovation at the 1992 World Cup created a lasting legacy in the game.
"That era for cricket was huge in the country and captured the country. It was a positive time, we got right behind the sport. I guess it was important [to] our opportunity to play at home in the [2015] World Cup, that we tried to do something similar."
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) and the Black Caps announced in a statement they were "deeply saddened at the passing of our country's greatest batsman".
"Our thoughts at this moment are with [Crowe's] much-loved family members, friends and all who loved him. NZC will fully acknowledge Martin's enormous contribution to the game at an appropriate juncture," they said.
Prime Minister John Key expressed his condolences.
Paying tribute to the New Zealand captain between 1990 and 1993, Key said Crowe's fan base stretched right across the world.
"Today's a very very sad and tragic day not only for Martin Crowe's family but for New Zealand and indeed for the sport of cricket," he told reporters in a press conference.
Crowe will be remembered for his "remarkable" talent and, in particular, the 299 he scored against Sri Lanka in Wellington in 1991.
"But most of all actually people's hearts were touched by the battle that Martin Crowe had with leukaemia, his burning desire to be there for the first game of the Cricket World Cup that was hosted in New Zealand and Australia last year.
In a press release, Key paid further tribute to the cricket legend.
"Martin was a truly great sportsman - one of our finest ever batsmen and sharpest cricketing minds. He was a world-class athlete whose exploits on the pitch endeared him to cricket fans around the world," he said.
Aged 19 when he made his international debut against Australia in Wellington in February 1982, Crowe retired 13 years later after playing 77 Tests for New Zealand, including three Cricket World Cups.
He scored a total of 5444 test runs at an average of 45.36.
Crowe's 77 Tests included 17 centuries, the most by a New Zealand cricketer while his 299 against Sri Lanka in Wellington in 1991 stood as a national record until recently-retired Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum scored 302 against India in Wellington in 2014.
The elegant right-hander also scored 4,704 runs at an average of 38.55 in one-day internationals.
In 1991, he was named New Zealand sportsman of the year and was also awarded a Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to cricket.
He was at his inspirational best during the 1992 World Cup, when he led New Zealand with flair to reach the semi-final in front of a partisan home crowd.
During his three-year captaincy, Crowe captained New Zealand in 16 Tests and 44 one-day internationals.
After retiring from international cricket in 1995, Crowe continued to contribute to the sport. His influence in New Zealand cricket has continued in recent years as a mentor to Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor.
New Zealand opener Guptill said tips from Crowe had elevated his game, and a message from the former New Zealand captain was behind his unbeaten 237 in New Zealand's 143-run 2015 World Cup quarter-final win over the West Indies.
"Today we lost a legend of our game. Not only was he a great sportsman but, more importantly, a great human. I couldn't have asked for a better mentor and friend to help me through the last couple of years. You inspired me to become a better person on and off the field. I will miss you," Guptill posted on Instagram accompanied by a photograph of himself with Crowe.
Cementing his status as a legend of international cricket, Crowe was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in February last year, during New Zealand's pool match against Australia in Auckland at the World Cup.
Crowe will be farewelled in a public funeral service on Friday, March 11 at 1 pm at Auckland's Holy Trinity Cathedral. The cricket legend is survived by his wife, former Miss Universe Lorraine Downes, and three children.
FORMER NZ CRICKETERS, COLLEAGUES PAY TRIBUTE TO CROWE
Former New Zealand cricketers and colleagues have been among the many people to pay tribute to former New Zealand captain Martin Crowe, who died today following a long battle with cancer.
Some former cricketers and colleagues of Crowe referred to him on Twitter by his nickname "Hogan", a name reportedly given to Crowe because of his fondness for the American sitcom Hogan's Heroes.
"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. RIP Hogan," tweeted former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming.
Former New Zealand wicketkeeper and SKY Sport commentator Ian Smith described his former co-commentator as one of cricket's most strategic thinkers.
"His thinking on the game was sometimes a year ahead in terms of strategy and on where the game was heading. But because he was Martin Crowe and a Kiwi, I don't think the ICC were prepared to give him too much of a head start there," Smith told Radio Sport.
"As a commentator, he could see the game unfolding as quickly as anyone I have ever worked with. He could read bowler's and batsman's minds better than most. I think that was one of the saddest things about it - we weren't able to hear that for years."
Smith also said Crowe was "born to play cricket" and nothing was going to stop him from becoming a world-class batsman.
"I don't think we will ever see his style, his grace, his presence at the crease again."
Former New Zealand bowler and SKY Sport commentator Simon Doull was also saddened to hear the news about Crowe's death.
"So sad to hear that Martin Crowe has passed away. He gave me my first TV job & I could not thank him enough. Teammate and friend. RIP Hogan," tweeted Doull.
POLTICANS REMEMBER CROWE
Many politicians have also paid tribute to former New Zealand cricket captain Martin Crowe, who died today following a long battle with cancer.
Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman said Crowe will be "greatly missed".
"He played 77 Tests and scored 17 Test centuries, he captained New Zealand many times
"Our thoughts are obviously with his family and close friends. I admired his batting from afar, he was just a beautiful, classic stroke maker. He was arguably our greatest ever batsman," Coleman told Newshub.
ACT Party leader David Seymour called Crowe's death "a tragedy".
"To lose somebody who was such a great leader, such an inspiration to young New Zealand cricketers and actually to all New Zealanders is deeply saddening," Seymour also told Newshub.
Green Party MP Kevin Hague said it would be comforting to some Crowe was able to see New Zealand reach the final of the World Cup last year.
"He has been an influential batting coach to some of the stars today, who carry on his legacy," he said.
"We all will have admired the grace he showed in seeing Brendon McCullum break his test cricket high-score record."
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said Crowe's work after his cricket career would have also impressed many younger New Zealanders.
"While he is acknowledged as being New Zealand's greatest batsman, to younger generations of Kiwis he will be remembered as being an astute commentator and writer on the game," he said.
He said Crowe's battle with cancer had won the admiration of the country.
Labour leader Andrew Little tweeted the country had not just lost a cricketer, "but a model New Zealander as well".
CROWE TO BE PUBLICALLY FAREWELLED
New Zealand cricket legend Martin Crowe will be seen off at a funeral next Friday.
The former New Zealand captain and batting great died of cancer at the age of 53 today, prompting an outpouring of tributes from around the world.
Auckland's Holy Trinity Cathedral will host a public service for Crowe on Friday, March 11 at 1 pm.
Dean of the Cathedral, the Very Reverend Jo Kelly-Moore, said the funeral would be a time for his family, friends and the sporting community to come together.
"Martin's life is being remembered today across the nation and the world as a husband, father, brother and cousin, batsman, hero, friend and sporting champion. The funeral will be a time for those private and public memories to join together," Kelly-Moore said.
Source: NZ Newswire, ONE News, Reuters, The Guardian and Newshub
Be the first to comment