Martin Crowe: I thought I wouldn't see 2015

Martin Crowe says his biggest challenge has been getting "getting the prognosis out of my head". Photo / Brett Phibs

Cricketing great Martin Crowe says he did not think he would see the end of 2014 after being diagnosed with an aggressive strain of lymphoma.

He said the biggest challenge for him so far had been "getting the prognosis out of my head".

He recovered from cancer in June 2013, but in September last year wrote on Twitter to say the disease had returned: "After a brilliant year of self-discovery and recovery I have more work to do. My friend & tough taskmaster lymphoma is back to teach me."

The diagnosis was double-hit lymphoma.

Today, addressing media at Eden Park ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup, he said doctors had told him he should be in hospital but instead he would remain at home trying natural remedies for the cancer.

"But that's what an oncologist should say," he said. "I'm trying things that are hopefully going to break the mould of the double-hit prognosis."

His wife Lorraine Downes had been a great support. "You call on everything you've got ... The love of those around you," he said.

Crowe said he would like to be remembered as "genuine, real, authentic, not false, not masked".

His friend Grant Fox had given him some supplements made from sea cucumber from Pacific Islands.

After months of sleeping for 14 hours each day, he had been feeling good for three weeks. He even enjoyed "a special time" with cousin Russell Crowe over the New Year period.

"He flew us up to his farm (in Australia) ... had all the kids and cousins there," he said.

Crowe called the double-hit lymphoma "an ugly beast" and said chemotherapy was "brutal".

He said since his diagnosis he had received feedback on his website and emails, which he was thankful for.

He encouraged people to get along to Cricket World Cup games. "I'll be at the games here (at Eden Park)," he said.

He had been advised he can't travel.