New Zealand great Martin Crowe reveals return of cancer
Wellington: Former New Zealand cricket great Martin Crowe revealed Wednesday his cancer has returned, 15 months after announcing it was under control.
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.
— Martin David Crowe (@MDCroweMentor) September 16, 2014
I say Lymphoma as a 'friend' coz it delivered me a message to remove the past for good in 2012, which I have. Its returned as the taskmaster
— Martin David Crowe (@MDCroweMentor) September 17, 2014
To say you cant beat lymphoma is not quite true, many have. Yet follicular lymphoma is incurable, & can be treated & tamed for many long yrs
— Martin David Crowe (@MDCroweMentor) September 17, 2014
The 51-year-old was first diagnosed with lymphoma in 2012, but after months of chemotherapy he said doctors had told him the cancer had shrunk to safe levels, although there was always the possibility of a relapse.
Crowe said he will now have to undergo further treatment.
A cousin of Hollywood star Russell Crowe, Martin Crowe is widely regarded as the best batsman to have represented New Zealand.
He averaged 45.36 in his 77-Test career, which included 17 centuries.
In 1991, he scored a New Zealand record for the most runs in a single Test innings when he was dismissed for 299 playing at Wellington's Basin Reserve against Sri Lanka.
The record was not broken until this year when current captain Brendon McCullum reached 302 on the same ground against India.