Martin Crowe, the former New Zealand batsman, has died after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 53.
Crowe, arguably his country’s most stylish batsman, scored 5,444 runs in 77 Tests at an average of 45.36, with 17 centuries. His highest score, 299, came against Sri Lanka in Wellington in 1991.
He made his Test debut in 1982 at 19, batting at No 6 against Australia, and had the unfortunate distinction of being run out in his maiden innings. Crowe’s medium-pace bowling also brought him 14 Test wickets and he was selected as a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1985.
He captained New Zealand in the early 1990s and was one of the game’s innovators, at times opening the bowling with spinners and utilising pinch-hitters. His brother, Jeff, also went on to captain New Zealand. The siblings were cousins of the Hollywood actor, Russell Crowe.
Crowe is survived by his wife, Lorraine Downes, daughter Emma and stepchildren Hilton and Jasmine.
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Andre Russell, the West Indies all-rounder, has committed an “anti-doping whereabouts” rule violation, the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (Jadco) said.
Russell, 27, named in the squad for the World Twenty20 in India that starts next week, has missed three doping tests within a 12-month period. “We received notification of Russell’s violation about two weeks ago and I’ve appointed a panel to hear his case,” Kent Pantry, the Jadco independent disciplinary panel chairman, said. Russell could be banned for two years if guilty.
Monty Panesar, 33, the former England spinner, will bowl in the Northamptonshire nets today as he tries to get a contract. He is expected to take part in their pre-season Barbados tour next week.
Sussex have signed Mustafizur Rahman, the Bangladesh left-arm seamer, for this summer’s limited-overs competitions. Sam Robson has signed a new three-year contract with Middlesex.