Tearful goodbye to cricket legend Martin Crowe. Twitter reactions
Martin Crowe, a cricketer of prodigious talent who made batting appear effortless while secretly struggling with the burden of being a world-class player in otherwise modest New Zealand teams, died of cancer Thursday. He was 53.
Crowe was first diagnosed with aggressive follicular lymphoma in 2012 and after chemotherapy, he was thought to be in remission. But Crowe announced in September 2014 that the cancer, which he called "my friend and tough taskmaster," had returned.
In a statement, his family said "it is with heavy hearts that the family of Martin Crowe advise his death. The family request privacy at this time."
Crowe played 77 Tests and 143 one-day internationals for New Zealand in a 13-year career. He scored 5,444 Test runs at an average of 45.36 with 17 centuries.
He is best remembered for his leadership during the 1992 World Cup Down Under, and surprised the world by having a spinner, in the form of Dipak Patel, open the bowling. This ploy was subsequently adopted by captains the world over to good effect. He also had opener Mark Greatbatch go after the bowling from the word go.
Crowe's strategy, coupled with his batting looked almost certain to take the Kiwis to their first World Cup crown, unless they ran into a marauding Inzamam-ul-Haq in the semi-final. Read more.
Fans and admirers took to Twitter to express heartfelt condolences on the Kiwi legend's untimely death. A collection of tweets:
Very very sad morning. One of my fav cricketers, Martin Crowe passes away. Technically the best batsman of the post Gavaskar era. RIP
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) March 3, 2016
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
— Stephen Fleming (@SPFleming7) March 3, 2016
Heartfelt condolences to family and fans of #MartinCrowe. Great cricketer and a fighter till the very end.
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 3, 2016
Deeply saddened at Martin Crowe losing battle against cancer. Excellent batsman and deep thinker about the game. Cricket will miss him. RIP
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 3, 2016
As a batsman #MartinCrowe was upright, correct, impregnable. As a speaker/writer he grew to become open, empathetic, insightful, fearless.
— Rahul Bose (@RahulBose1) March 3, 2016
#MartinCrowe's evolution from world class bat to thinker, speaker, writer of the game was one of the best things to happen to cricket. #RIP
— Rahul Bose (@RahulBose1) March 3, 2016
Good man, great cricketer, outstanding captain and a fighter taken away too early. Goodbye Martin Crowe, loved around the world.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 3, 2016
One of the most stylish batsmen...one of the finest cricketing brains. The man who adorned my scrapbook is no more. R.I.P. Martin Crowe #sad
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 3, 2016
Many thanks. Do watch/read on Martin Crowe https://t.co/BapDPtsSmW
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) March 3, 2016
Terrible terrible news. Sad day for any cricket lover. Farewell Martin Crowe. You were, and always will be, a legend https://t.co/F8PQRsUuDA
— Amish Tripathi (@authoramish) March 3, 2016
Martin Crowe's biggest regret: did not field in 1992 semi vs Pak because of injury. Wasn't there to lead in biggest game in NZ history. RIP
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) March 3, 2016