Cricketer Martin Crowe is dying and he may not live to see the finals of the 2015 World Cup. Crowe was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma two years ago, which has since transformed into a rare blood disease called double-hit lymphoma. Only 5 percent of patients live up to 12 months.
Crowe is perhaps the best batsman to represent New Zealand, and he was one of my favourites during his playing days. Ian Botham called him the most technically accomplished batsman of his time, an era that included Sunil Gavaskar, Geoff Boycott, Vivian Richards, the Chappell brothers, and many other outstanding batsmen. Crowe was also part of the New Zealand world cup team in 1992, when New Zealand played some great cricket, losing a close semi-final match to eventual champions Pakistan. Crowe scored a magnificent 91 in that match.
As Crowe fights for his life, the Kiwis have emerged a serious contender for World Cup 2015. They perhaps have their best limited overs side ever, and are coming off a very successful 2014 in all formats of the game. In Brendon McCullum they have an inspirational leader, who is at the top of his game. McCullum in fact was the one who broke Crowe's record for the highest Kiwi Test score recently when he scored 302 to overtake Crowe's 299.
I am rooting for the Kiwis in this world cup, and would love to see them win it for Martin Crowe.
Crowe is perhaps the best batsman to represent New Zealand, and he was one of my favourites during his playing days. Ian Botham called him the most technically accomplished batsman of his time, an era that included Sunil Gavaskar, Geoff Boycott, Vivian Richards, the Chappell brothers, and many other outstanding batsmen. Crowe was also part of the New Zealand world cup team in 1992, when New Zealand played some great cricket, losing a close semi-final match to eventual champions Pakistan. Crowe scored a magnificent 91 in that match.
As Crowe fights for his life, the Kiwis have emerged a serious contender for World Cup 2015. They perhaps have their best limited overs side ever, and are coming off a very successful 2014 in all formats of the game. In Brendon McCullum they have an inspirational leader, who is at the top of his game. McCullum in fact was the one who broke Crowe's record for the highest Kiwi Test score recently when he scored 302 to overtake Crowe's 299.
I am rooting for the Kiwis in this world cup, and would love to see them win it for Martin Crowe.
2 comments:
Nitin, I echo your words on Martin Crowe wholeheartedly. Not only is he one of the most stylish players ever to have played, he played it with dignity, courage and in the highest traditions of our noble game.
Agreed Vivek, Martin Crowe had a lot of class. I saw a recent video of his - the thick curly hair is gone (perhaps as a result of chemotherapy), but the swagger in his walk is very much there.
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