New Zealand Test cricket legend Martin Crowe was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame on Saturday, when New Zealand beat Australia in their World Cup tie at Eden Park by one wicket.
Crowe, who was a player of the 1992 World Cup, became the third New Zealander, after Sir Richard Hadlee and Debbie Hockley, and the 79th overall to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame when he received his commemorative cap from Wally Edwards, ICC Director and Chairman of Cricket Australia.
The induction ceremony was held during the innings break of the New Zealand-Australia match in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 at Eden Park, and was also attended by Stephen Boock, New Zealand Cricket President.
On his induction into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, Crowe said that on behalf of his family, he is extremely privileged to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, joining Hadlee and Hockley as the other New Zealanders to be awarded such a prestigious honour.
Crowe added that since he was eight years old, he was always reading and hearing about the great players who inspired the world over. He said that in that, he has to thank his father Dave, for his mentoring and encouragement to his brother Jeff and he to play a game that he said of all sports 'mirrored life itself'.
Crowe insisted that he loved the story of how an English coach had told his father that he would never a make Test cricketer, adding that thirty years later, he was able to nudge the same coach and reply that he was right, as his dad never made a Test cricketer, but he made two.
The former skipper said that both Jeff and he wouldn't have made it without the wonderful support of their mother Audrey and sister Deb. He added that cricket was their life, and remains so, insisting that they are grateful for what cricket has given their family.
Crowe thanked the ICC, and the voting members, and also thanked every teammate, coach and manager, saying that they made it a wonderful journey. He said that mostly, he would thank all the fans and supporters across the world, especially there in New Zealand, who came to watch and cheer.
Crowe said that it's so fitting that this induction should be at Eden Park, a home where he made his international debut back in 1982, and where his parents came to watch for nearly 40 years together.
Crowe said that he is deeply moved, and would remember this day for the rest of his life.
Crowe made his international debut against Australia in Wellington in February 1982 at the age of 19 and retired 13 years later after playing 77 Tests, in which he scored 5,444 runs at an average of 45.36, including 17 centuries, the most by a New Zealand cricketer, while his 299 against Sri Lanka in Wellington in January 1991 stood as a national record until Brendon McCullum scored 302 against India in Wellington in February 2014.
Crowe also played 143 ODIs in which he scored 4,704 runs at an average of 38.55, with four hundreds and 34 half-centuries. He played in three ICC Cricket World Cups, and led New Zealand to the semi-final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 1992, where his side lost to Pakistan, the eventual champion, in Auckland.
Crowe captained New Zealand in 16 Tests and 44 ODIs.
Overall, Crowe played 247 first-class matches in a 17-year career in which he scored 19,608 runs, with 71 centuries and 80 half-centuries. Apart from representing New Zealand, he also played for Auckland, Central Districts, Somerset and Wellington.
