Martin Crowe set for chemo treatment

Martin Crowe. Photo / APN

New Zealand cricketing legend Martin Crowe knows what to expect as he heads into a second round of intensive treatment for cancer.

The former Black Caps captain said yesterday he was no longer in remission for lymphoma, after a doctor's visit for "burning pain" led to the discovery of a growth last week.

Crowe, who was given the all-clear in June last year after first being diagnosed with the form of cancer two years ago, was days away from his 52nd birthday.

Louise Henderson, who manages Crowe and his wife, former Miss Universe Lorraine Downes, said the couple were readying themselves for Crowe to begin chemotherapy "shortly".

"They are obviously disappointed that he has lymphoma. It's his taskmaster, and it's come back to remind him that it's all work in progress and lymphoma is a journey. It's just the next chapter for him."

Both Crowe and Downes knew what to expect, she said. "They're really well-equipped to just kick-in and deal with it."

Crowe held the record for New Zealand's highest individual test score of 299 runs for 23 years. It was broken by Brendan McCullum earlier this year at the Basin Reserve when he achieved 302 runs.

He has played 77 tests and 143 ODIs for the Black Caps from 1982 to 1995, scoring 5400 test runs at an average of 45, including 17 centuries.

Crowe tweeted yesterday: "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."