Martin Crowe after being inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.
Martin Crowe after being inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.
Almost exactly one year ago, I watched Martin Crowe being inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, and felt for the guy.
Not only did he have cancer (there was speculation he might not make the induction), but his special moment was only seen live by the Eden Parkcrowd that day. Even then, it was only seen by the section of crowd that could spot the ceremony in front of the bright yellow ICC hoarding.
It was February 28, and the Black Caps were playing Australia in a World Cup pool match that would turn out to be a thrilling victory for New Zealand.
Sky TV explained later that they did not have broadcasting rights to the Hall of Fame ceremony and so couldn't show it.
Whatever the reason, many at the game felt it was rude that New Zealand's greatest modern-era test batsman didn't get to share the moment live with other New Zealanders.
After all, it was he who thrilled crowds around the world with his shot play in the 1992 World Cup at Eden Park, during which New Zealand bowed out in the semifinal stage against Pakistan. Crowe's lead-by-example captaincy and outstanding batting were big factors in getting his team into the semis.
It was a time when one-day cricket was coming of age, when players who could bash the ball were getting recognition internationally. Yet Crowe scored more runs than most with his classic technique that was always cultured and never, as they sometimes say, agricultural. He should also be given credit for creating the forerunner to the modern day Twenty20 game ... Cricket Max.
It didn't last as long as Crowe would have liked, but the creative thinking that went into high scoring zones, four stumps (instead of three) and two 10-over innings was indicative of Crowe's uniqueness.
As was his approach to his illness. A year ago he was not expected to survive for much longer. But he gave himself another year of life, albeit with lymphoma, by rejecting traditional medicine and opting for alternative remedies and treatments.
He did things differently and his record speaks for itself.
