Rip One Of The Greats Of Cricket Martin Crowe

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Martin Crowe dies aged 53

 

Martin Crowe, the former New Zealand captain, writer, broadcaster and mentor, has died in Auckland at the age of 53.

Crowe had suffered from lymphoma since 2012, and withdrew from public life in his final months.

"It is with heavy hearts that the family of Martin Crowe, MBE advise his death," his family said in a statement.

"Diagnosed in September 2014 with terminal double hit lymphoma he passed away peacefully today, Thursday 3rd March in Auckland surrounded by family.

"The family request privacy at this time."

 

Widely considered the finest batsman in New Zealand cricket's history, Crowe debuted against Australia aged 19 in 1982, and quickly established a reputation as the most meticulous of batsmen, his technique widely admired.

In all he would tally a New Zealand record 17 Test centuries, including an innings of 299 against Sri Lanka in Wellington that also stood as the national record until Brendon McCullum overtook it, also at the Basin Reserve.

Arguably Crowe's finest month was his inventive and inspirational leadership of New Zealand during the 1992 World Cup, when he took an unfancied side to the top of the competition table before a narrow defeat to eventual champions Pakistan in the semi-final at Eden Park. This performance confounded many, not least the co-hosts Australia who were completely overshadowed by Crowe's tactics and skill during the opening match of the tournament.

Knee problems were to curtail Crowe thereafter, and he retired from the game in 1995, aged only 33. His post-playing life was to be equally rich and constructive.

He worked often as a television commentator, and was also visionary in his invention of a third format for the game, Cricket Max, that served as a precursor to Twenty20.

In 2011, Crowe made the bold decision to attempt a return to cricket at the age of 48, turning out for his local club side Cornwall with a view to playing again for Auckland. He was to be curtailed not by slowed reflexes but a series of soft tissue injuries.

Most valuably he served as a mentor for several members of the New Zealand side, notably Ross Taylor. After his replacement as captain by McCullum in 2012, Taylor leaned heavily upon Crowe as he rebuilt his confidence and career, going on to play brilliantly for a Test double century against in Perth last year, the highest ever score by a visiting batsman in Australia. Michael Clarke, the former Australia captain, was another friend.

Crowe's influence was also seen in his writing, much of which appeared on ESPNcricinfo, where his advocacy of a more personable era of player behaviour was taken up by McCullum's team. At the end of the recent Australia series, McCullum noted to team-mates that "we got our soul back", and Crowe's influence in this is not to be underestimated.

Despite worsening health as he sought numerous remedies to his lymphoma, Crowe was a welcome presence at last year's World Cup, where he watched McCullum's team go one better than the 1992 team by making the final. Crowe was presented with ICC Hall of Fame status during the pool game between New Zealand and Australia in Auckland, and was also present for the final.

One of his last public appearances would take place in April, when he delivered a typically articulate and heartfelt tribute to the retiring Daniel Vettori.

Crowe is survived by his second wife Lorraine Downes, daughter Emma and step-children Hilton and Jasmine. Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.

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Cricket Max - The Game Invented By Martin Crowe (02 Feb 1996)

Cricket Max is a new game invented and designed by Martin Crowe with the following rationale:

 

"I Invented and designed Cricket Max because I felt it was time to provide to our spectators and TV viewers a game of cricket that was short in duration, very colourful, kept some old traditions and highlighted the best skills in the game."

"After 15 years of one-day cricket I could see a need for a new visual appeal in terms of the field lay-out, and the rules. This will provide great entertainment and an exciting result in 3 hours of cricket. There is far more scoring than ever before and also the potential for electric defensive work in the field. Cricket Max can be played and watched by anyone but nothing can beat seeing the best in the world display their skills in a whole match in just 3 hours."

"Kerry Packer sure did change the game back in the 70s, but now it`s time for Cricket Max to take the excitement of cricket through to the next century."

"Join us for the first game of Cricket Max on February 5, 1996."

Rules:

Field of play:

A traditional oval with an inner grid and two Max zones. There is a semi-circular Max Zone at each end embracing traditional longon and long-off, and extending to the boundary. The boundary is effectively the "diameter" of the semi-circle. The inner-grid has the same purpose as the inner-ring in the one-day game, but is angular and 6-sided. Better viewed than described, it is a rectangle with indented long sides, or a double trapezium:

______________________________ \ / \ / \ / \ s / \ / \ / / \ / \ / s \ / \ / \ / \ --------------------------------

General:

1. 2 innings of 10 8-ball overs per team. That is, 4 quarters of 10 overs each.

2. 13 players per team consisting of: 3 batsmen, 2 allrounders, 3 bowlers, 1 wicketkeeper, 4 fielders.

3. 4 stumps and 3 bails.

4. No lbw rule.

5. If a no-ball is bowled, next ball is a free hit (can`t be dismissed unless run out).

6. Wides are 2 runs credited to the batsman on strike.

7. 11 players are in the field at any one time with option of 2 on free interchange.

8. Quarter and three-quarter time, 5 minute interval. Half-time, 10 minute interval.

Batting:

1. Only 5 batsmen (the 3 batsmen and 2 all-rounders) to bat with 2 innings each available.

2. When out, batsman rejoins the batting order.

3. Must lose 10 wickets to be all out (over the 2 innings).

4. Last man in bats alone, with the previous man out acting as runner.

5. Each batsman, in his 1st innings, must score 20 off his first 25 balls or he is deemed "struck out" and dismissed.

6. If ball is hit into or over the Max zone on the full, the batsman scores 12.

7. If caught inside the Max zone, the batsman is not out and scores 6.

8. If a batsman hits 3 boundaries in a row, the 3rd boundary is doubled (8 or 12).

9. Another player can be designated as a pinch hitter in the last 10 oversat any time. If dismissed, a team wicket is used up.

Bowling:

1. 5 bowlers (the 3 bowlers and 2 allrounders) must be used.

2. There must be at least one slow bowler.

3. 5 overs per bowler are available allowing a maximum spell of 3 overs at any time.

4. A bowler can be changed after 4 balls of any over during the crucial last 10 overs at any time. [Nothing mentioned about how this affects the 5-over rule per bowler]. It seems that the designated fielders may bowl in these circumstances.

5. Run ups start inside the inner grid.

Fielding:

1. In the first 10 overs, 2 fielders allowed outside the grid.

2. In the last 10 overs, 4 fielders allowed outside the grid.

3. If any fielder hits the stumps the ball is either dead or the batsman is out.

4. No fielder may be inside the Max zones at the point of delivery.

FIRST GAME:

This is sponsored by Pepsi Max and the BNZ. It will take place at Cornwall Park (Auckland) on 5th February 1996. It will be shown live on Sky TV and be repeated the following day and the following Saturday. The two teams will be an NZ WC Selection versus Noel Leeming All-stars. The all-stars team will include: Martin Crowe, David Hookes, Richard Hadlee, Lance Cairns, Merv Hughes, Bryan Young.

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One of the Super max international played in New zealand in 2002 by India & NZ.

 

Link : http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/112812.html

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This Super Max game Infact kick started the T20 trend...

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