Legendary New Zealand cricketer Martin Crowe passed away at the age of 53 after suffering from terminal double-hit lymphoma since September 2014. He died on Thursday in Auckland surrounded by his gamily.
“It is with heavy hearts that the family of Martin Crowe, MBE advise his death,” the statement from his family said. “Diagnosed in September 2014 with terminal double-hit lymphoma, he passed away peacefully today, Thursday, March 3, in Auckland surrounded by family.”
A statement on the official Blackcaps website read: “New Zealand Cricket is deeply saddened at the passing of our country’s greatest batsman, Martin David Crowe, aged 53. Our thoughts at this moment are with his much-loved family members, friends and all who loved him.”
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Before adding, “NZC will fully acknowledge Martin’s enormous contribution to the game at an appropriate juncture.”
Crowe was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma in October 2012 and underwent treatment for the same. But in September 2014, doctors identified that he has a double-hit lymphoma, a rare and aggressive blood disease, which has a survival rate of just 5% beyond 12 months.
Upon his diagnosis, Crowe chose not to continue with chemotherapy and instead manage it with natural remedies. He later added that his diagnosis helped him understand what was truly 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 used 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.”
Starting in 1982, Crowe played international cricket for 13 years until 1995, including four years as New Zealand’s captain. In 77 Tests, the former Black Caps skipper scored 5,444 Test runs at an average of 45.36, with 17 centuries and 35 fifties and was widely regarded as one of the finest batsmen of his generation.
He also scored 4,704 One-Day International runs at an average of 38.55 and finished his career with plenty of records to his name. He won New Zealand’s sportsman of the year in 1991 and was also awarded an MBE for services to cricket.
Crowe is survived by his wife, Lorraine Downes, and daughter Emma and step-children Hilton and Jasmine.
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