Former New Zealand skipper Martin Crowe dies aged 53

New Delhi: It is indeed a sad day for cricket fraternity as former New Zealand cricket skipper Martin Crowe has passed away after a long battle with cancer. He was 53 years of age.

A New Zealand Cricket spokesman confirmed the news on Thursday."Yes it is unfortunately true, he has died." The news was confirmed after an earlier statement from Crowe`s family.

Crowe was widely regarded as one of New Zealand`s finest batsman, He played 77 tests from 1982-1995 and scored 5,444 runs at an average of 45.36.

The elegant right-hander also scored 4,704 runs at an average of 38.55 in one-day internationals.

The right-handed batsman was initially diagnosed with follicular lymphoma in 2012 but the disease went into remission. 

In September 2014, Crowe said a new, more aggressive form of the disease, double-hit lymphoma, had developed. He was told only five percent survival chance was left.

Former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming expressed his condolences.