Tributes pour in for 'inspirational' Crowe

New Zealand cricket great Martin Crowe's impact on the game, like his follow through, was just as elegant off the field as on.

The man regarded as one of New Zealand's best batsmen died on Thursday, aged 53, following a long battle with cancer.

Crowe had been diagnosed with follicular lymphoma in October 2012 and underwent treatment for the cancer but it returned in September 2014.

He chose not to continue with chemotherapy, opting instead to "chill out at home" as he managed his illness with natural remedies.

Crowe said his diagnosis had helped him realise what was important in life.

Quick Single: Martin Crowe passes away at 53

"The main thing is the love I have for the people around me," he said. "And I only really focus on compassion and forgiveness because that's the only way, and I didn't used to do that at all."

Cricket and other sporting luminaries have been quick to pay tribute to Crowe, who not only starred on the field but in recent years contributed thoughtful insights on the state of the game as an expert cricket columnist.

"An inspiration to me and so many others," former NZ captain Stephen Fleming tweeted.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key joined the flood of condolences from around the world.

"Martin was a truly great sportsman," he said. "One of our finest-ever batsmen and sharpest cricketing minds."

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Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland also paid tribute to the batting great.

"Martin Crowe was amongst the finest players of his generation, a delightful stroke-maker who made an enormous impact in New Zealand and around the cricket world," Sutherland said.

"He was an important player in the New Zealand teams of the mid '80s which went unbeaten in 10 of 13 series from the time of his debut.

"Martin inspired his country by taking New Zealand to the 1992 World Cup semi-finals and was a revolutionary thinker on the game whose contribution to cricket continued long after he retired.

"He will be sadly missed around the world, including by many Australian cricketers who held deep affection for him and admired his wonderful talents.

"The thoughts of the Australian cricket family are with his family and many friends at this sad time."

New Zealand's run to the Cricket World Cup final last March featured prominently in the closing stages of Crowe's life.

He was inducted into the International Cricket Council's Hall of Fame during the tournament, prompting a standing ovation from 40,000 fans at Eden Park.

And when the Black Caps continued their run to the final against Australia, Crowe travelled to Melbourne, describing the match as without question the personal cricketing highlight of his life.

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"My precarious life ahead may not afford me the luxury of many more games to watch and enjoy," Crowe wrote on ESPNcricinfo.

"So this is likely to be it. The last, maybe, and I can happily live with that."

Current New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson said Crowe's death was a shock.

"At my age I wasn't fortunate enough to see a huge amount of Martin play but certainly after he played I had bits and pieces to do with him," Williamsion said, adding that Crowe had been extremely positive and encouraging in dealing with younger cricketers.

Crowe was 19 when he made his international debut against Australia in Wellington in February 1982. He retired 13 years later after playing 77 Tests, having scored 5444 runs at an average of 45.36, with his career cut short by a chronic knee injury.

His 17 centuries remain the most by a New Zealand cricketer, while his 299 against Sri Lanka in Wellington in January 1991 stood as a national record for 23 years.

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He played in three World Cups and led New Zealand to the semi-final of the 1992 tournament, where his side lost to eventual champions Pakistan in Auckland.

He captained New Zealand in 16 Tests and 44 ODIs. His older brother Jeff also captained New Zealand six times in Tests. Australia-based actor Russell Crowe was his cousin.

After retiring Crowe continued to contribute to cricket.

In 1996, he came up with Cricket Max – a short form of the game which was a forerunner to the current Twenty20 craze, but which never took off.

His influence in New Zealand cricket continued in recent years as mentor to Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor.

New Zealand opener Guptill said tips from Crowe had elevated his game, and a message from the former Black Caps skipper was behind his unbeaten 237 in New Zealand's 143-run World Cup quarter-final win over the West Indies.

Crowe is survived by his wife, former Miss Universe Lorraine Downes, and three children.

Tributes to Crowe