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.

New Zealand Cricket is deeply saddened at the passing of our country’s greatest batsman, Martin David Crowe, aged 53 pic.twitter.com/UGk75OFMW5

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 3, 2016

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.

Very sad to hear of the passing of martin crowe this morning. An inspiration to me and so many others. One of our true greats. RIP hogan

— Stephen Fleming (@SPFleming7) March 3, 2016