human development

Former New Zealand cricket captain Martin Crowe has been diagnosed with lymphoma, an invasive cancer of the immune system.

Louise Henderson said the 50-year-old Crowe had only recently received the diagnosis and requested privacy while he and his family deal with the news.

 "the family have a number of issues to confront over the next couple of weeks. The diagnosis is very new, the family is still in shock and obviously dealing with the understanding that life as they know it for the unforeseeable future is different." Crowe is married to former Miss Universe Lorraine Downes.

Crowe played 77 tests and 143 one-day internationals for New Zealand between 1982 and 1995. He scored more than 5,400 test runs at an average of 45 with 17 centuries.

Crowe made his test debut at a tender age of 19.

He was also the backbone behind New Zealand’s memorable run to the World Cup semifinals on home soil in 1992.

His 17 centuries are still the most by any New Zealander at Test level.

A knee injury forced him to retire at just 33 in 1996 or he might well have broken more.Crowe also attempted a comeback last year, but in his first premier match for Auckland club Cornwall he was forced to retire hurt and conceded his body wasn’t up to the rigours of the sport.