Martin Crowe diagnosed with cancer

Auckland: Martin Crowe, the former New Zealand captain, has been diagnosed with lymphoma, a form of cancer that begins in immune system cells called lymphocytes.

"Understandably 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," said a statement issued by Louise Henderson, a close family friend and Crowe’s manager.

Crowe, 50, is New Zealand’s second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket after Stephen Fleming with 5444 from 77 Tests. He is also his country’s leading Test centurion with 17. Additionally, Crowe scored 4704 runs at 38.55 in ODI cricket. He famously led New Zealand to the semi-finals of the 1992 World Cup in which he was the highest run-getter with 456 and was voted Player of the Series.

The New Zealand great has requested privacy after the shocking diagnosis, which came shortly after his 50th birthday.

Since retiring from cricket, Crowe has engaged in coaching and commentating and was credited with the origin of Cricket Max, a shortened format of the game which caught on only in New Zealand. In 2011, he announced that he was attempting a return to competitive cricket but this lasted all of one match. Playing for club side Cornwell, he injured a thigh muscle.

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