Martin Crowe

Martin Crowe was a New Zealand batter widely regarded as the country's finest before Kane Williamson, and an innovative captain during the 1992 World Cup.

Martin David Crowe was born on 22 September 1962 in Henderson, New Zealand, the son of Dave Crowe, a first-class cricketer, and cousin of Hollywood actor Russell Crowe, and made his first-class debut for Auckland at just 17 before his Test debut at 19. Crowe developed into New Zealand's greatest batter, named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1985, and captained the national team through one of its most successful periods, including an innovative and aggressive approach to the 1992 Cricket World Cup that New Zealand co-hosted. Crowe scored 17 Test centuries, including a New Zealand record 299 against Sri Lanka in 1991, and was widely regarded as one of the finest and most technically correct batters of his generation across a 13-year international career. Crowe retired in 1995 and became a respected commentator and cricket analyst, later diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma in 2012, a battle he documented candidly. He died on 3 March 2016, at age 53, in Auckland, remembered as one of the most gifted and influential figures in New Zealand cricket history.

Crowe was an elegant right-handed batsman known for his classical technique and ability to play both defensively and aggressively as the situation demanded. He was particularly strong on the leg side and had excellent footwork against both pace and spin bowling.

Crowe elevated New Zealand cricket's profile internationally and inspired a generation of Kiwi batsmen with his skill and leadership.

• ICC Cricket Hall of Fame 2010
• New Zealand Cricketer of the Century