Kiwi cricket great Martin Crowe has passed away today after a long fight with cancer, leaving behind his wife Lorraine Downes and children Emma, Hilton and Jasmine.
Martin was initially diagnosed with follicular lymphoma in 2012. His cancer was in remission until September 2014, when Martin revealed it had returned in the form of a rare blood disease known as double-hit lymphoma.
“Over the last few months my cancer turned from being in sleepy remission to transforming into a new monster, much like a bull in a china tea shop,” he wrote in an online column.
“No longer was ‘it’ a friend, as I had first described follicular lymphoma to be, in 2012.”
Martin was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in February 2015. Photo: Getty
Over the course of an illustrious cricket career, Martin became renowned as one of the country’s greatest ever test batsmen. He was named New Zealand Sportsman of the Year in 1991 and was later honoured with an MBE for his services to the sport. In 2015 he was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.
Despite his premature retirement from the game, Martin remained actively involved in the sport that he loved, working as a commentator for Sky and penning cricket-focused columns, among other roles.
As the news of his worsening health spread last year, a petition was started to grant Martin an urgent knighthood. To date, it has gained over 8,000 supporters.
“Martin David Crowe is the finest batsman New Zealand Cricket has produced,” the petition reads.
“He, after Sir Richard Hadlee is the iconic figure in NZ Cricket of the last 30 years. He has inspired generations of young cricketers and is a genuinely great New Zealand leader.”
Martin appeals for a wicket during a cricket match in Auckland in 2011. Photo: Getty
