Addicted to cricket: The Martin Crowe story

Martin Crowe of New Zealand at Hitchin Cricket Club in Hertfordshire in 1994. (Getty Images)

The young batsman would go on to play many more notable innings for his country, despite being blighted by injuries to the shin, hamstrings and back. On his favourite Basin Reserve ground, he scored an imperious century against the touring West Indies, hooking the fearsome Malcolm Marshall with almost gay abandon, exerting superb control over his shots.

Persistent injuries to the knee would eventually curtail his cricket career. In 1986, he was an unwitting participant in Somerset’s decision to sack Richards and Joel Garner. When he next took the field for the county in 1987 as captain, he was subject to barbed comments from the media over his private life as well as the controversial axing of the West Indian superstars. Eventually, a stress fracture in the back forced him out of the side, with a young Steve Waugh chosen as his replacement.

He persevered despite the setbacks, and whacked the toothless Sri Lanka bowling to all corners of the park while compiling a record 467-run partnership with Andrew Jones in the first Test at Wellington in 1991. Martin was dismissed on 299, which has stood as a New Zealand record for 22 years. The retirement of Hadlee increased his workload, yet he carried on gamely despite his body suffering miserably.

The 1992 Cricket World Cup was his zenith in ODIs. Chosen to lead the side, he brought in innovative tactics, such as using Mark Greatbatch as a pinch-hitter to take advantage of the 15-over field restrictions, or opening the bowling with off-spinner Dipak Patel.

His tactics paid off handsomely as New Zealand made it to the semi-finals, with Crowe scoring 456 runs to be awarded Player of the Tournament. The still head and ‘watch the ball’ technique, the controlled way in which he handled the opposition’s bowling attacks, the sublime pull shot and the sweetly timed straight drive – all of it was in full flow right throughout the marquee event; his unbeaten 81 against the West Indies stands out vividly. Sadly, though, the title eluded the master.

Despite scoring a stylish 142 against England in 1994, Crowe’s body could no longer stand the rigours of cricket. Frequently sidelined with injuries, and with the emergence of batsmen such as Stephen Fleming, the 32-year old soldiered on gamely, his batting now completely motivated by will power. Remarkably, even though his body was beset with many ills, his sense of control and immaculate timing did not desert him at all.

Eventually, his back locked up on him and after an ODI series against India in November 1995, which included his 17th international century, Martin Crowe bid farewell to all forms of cricket. His premature departure left a yawning gap in the Kiwi batting line-up, which struggled for a considerable period of time. 5,444 runs in 77 Tests at an average of 45.36 reflect his prowess, and it could have been more, but for his body telling him it was time to hang up those boots.

Martin Crowe of New Zealand plays a pull shot against England during the Beach Cricket Tri-Nations Series held at Maroubra Beach January 12, 2008 in Sydney, Australia. (Getty Images)

Never again would New Zealand be witness to those booming drives or the perfect head position that characterized Martin’s time at the batting crease. Never again would one-dayers see his innovations.

He went on to do commentary for Sky Sports in New Zealand, and invented Cricket Max, a short-lived format that could arguably be conceived as a precursor to Twenty20 cricket. Crowe also served as the Chief Cricketing Officer for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the first edition of the IPL, but after the team’s poor showing, he resigned following criticism from the franchise owners.

In 2009, he wed former Miss Universe Lorraine Downes – an event that brought some scrutiny in his private life.

In 2012, he announced his intentions of making a comeback to first-class cricket in order to keep fit, but within a few months, he was diagnosed with lymphoma. Just like he did when he was playing, the great man accepted the news positively and began the appropriate treatment to deal with the latest blow. He is now in remission, and the self-confessed “cricket addict” once again bid adieu to cricket.

A master tactician, a magnificent batsman and a great leader, that’s what Martin David Crowe has been for Kiwis as well as cricket fans around the world.