Today I got to know that the great New Zealand batsman Martin Crowe is terminally ill. Age 52, he is really young to be in this state. A flamboyant batsman, an innovative skipper and a part time medium pace bowler – above all the coolest guy on the cricket field.
I remember Martin Crowe as one of “coolest guys” on the cricket field. I still remember his walk out to bat – he looked like a happy guy. In late 80s and early 90s, most players were very formal – whereas Martin was that passionate and innovative sports person of that era. Every one remembers his innovative ways in the world cup of 1992, in which New Zealand reached the semi-finals.
In a recent tribute on ESPNcricinfo, Martin Crowe wrote:
“My precarious life ahead may not afford me the luxury of many more games to watch and enjoy. So this is likely to be it. The last, maybe, and I can happily live with that. To see the two sons I never had, Ross Taylor and Marty Guptill, run out in black, in sync with their close comrades, drawing on all their resolve and resilience, will be mesmerically satisfying. I will hold back tears all day long. I will gasp for air on occasions. I will feel like a nervous parent.” (READ: Australia vs New Zealand, Cricket World Cup 2015 final could be the last match I see, says Martin Crowe)
If black caps ever needed any extra motivation to win on this Sunday, there is nothing more moving than these lines. When India won the world cup in 2011, Sachin was the motivation, as it was his last world cup – after the victory various players dedicated it to Sachin Tendulkar.
Martin Crowe has been the most successful batsman for New Zealand with 17 centuries and over 5K runs in Test Cricket. He also scored the highest test innings of 299 for New Zealand. He got diagnosed with Lymphoma and he announced in 2014 that he has limited chances of survival beyond 12 months.
It is really sad to know that such a flamboyant and motivational figure of my generation, who was a source of motivation for one and all – is terminally ill. McCullum and his team will be fully motivated to win the world cup, a feat which New Zealand has never achieved. But sometimes you need that extra push in your life to achieve big things – and the fact that this could be the last world cup match for Martin Crowe ,could be that divine motivation, which can push the black caps to take the world cup home.
Black caps should do it for Martin Crowe. As the words describe him on his official website: Passionate. Loyal. Caring. Honest. Committed.
With these great words from Martin, go black caps – do it for Martin:
“I will, like so many Kiwis making the short trek across the Tasman, feel this, as McCullum has stated clearly, to be the greatest cricketing time of our lives. Four million dare to believe, while 11 (and back up) dare to achieve. Whatever happens, March 29 at the MCG will be the most divine fun ever.”
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