Martin Crowe, died of cancer at 53Cricket

March 03, 2016 12:37
Martin Crowe, died of cancer at 53

New Zealand\\\'s greatest batsman Martin Crowe, widely acknowledged as the person who had laid the foundations for Twenty20 cricket, was hailed a \\\"hero\\\" Thursday after he died of cancer at 53. He was diagnosed with terminal double-hit lymphoma in September 2014, a rare form of blood cancer, he passed away in Auckland surrounded by family. \\\"It is with heavy hearts that the family of Martin Crowe, MBE, advise his death,\\\" his family said.

\\\"My champion, my hero, my friend. I will love you forever. RIP M.D.Crowe,\\\" the New Zealand-born actor, the batsman\\\'s cousin, Hollywood star Russell Crowe tweeted.

Martin Crowe had a 13-year international career from 1982-95, including four years as captain. He had a Test average of 45.36 in 77 matches and has held a slew of New Zealand batting records when he retired, including most Test runs (5,444), highest Test score (299), most 50s (35) and most hundreds (17) -- the last of which still stands.

\\\"Martin was a truly great sportsman -- one of our finest-ever batsmen and sharpest cricketing minds,\\\" Prime Minister John Key said.

Former Black Cap Craig Cumming said, \\\"He had that freak ability to predict what length the ball was going to be bowled from the release point\\\".

\\\"So he was already getting in position based on how the ball was released and his sixth sense allowed him to do that.\\\"

New Zealand Cricket said it was \\\"deeply saddened\\\" at the loss of the country\\\'s greatest batsman.

Cricket Australia hailed him as \\\"a magnificent cricketer and wonderful man who will be sadly missed\\\".

Former Black Caps captain Stephen Fleming called Crowe \\\"one of our true greats\\\". \\\"An inspiration to me and so many others,\\\" he tweeted.

\\\"For those of us who grew up watching cricket in the 80s, we owe him immensely,\\\" ex-Black Cap-turned-television commentator Scott Styris tweeted.

Rugby union\\\'s world champion All Blacks declared Crowe \\\"a true NZ sporting great\\\".

The scoreboard at Wellington\\\'s Basin Reserve simply read \\\"RIP Martin Crowe 299\\\" -- his highest score, achieved at the ground in 1991.

Scott Styris tweeted, So sad to hear news of Martin Crowe passing away. For those of us who grew up watching cricket in the 80s, we owe him immensely #RIPCROWE Sachin tendulkar tweeted, Heartfelt condolences to family and fans of #MartinCrowe. Great cricketer and a fighter till the very end.

Ross Taylor tweeted, Until we meet again Hogan. Love Tuisi

Ian Botham tweeted, Very sad to wake up to the news that Martin \\\"Hogan\\\" Crowe has passed away...!! One of the best to play the wonderful game !! RIP

By Premji

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