RIP Martin Crowe

Siam

Yeah gone way too soon. 
It's about now I'm devastated that we will no longer enjoy his cricket analysis and inputs. Not fair 
If there is a god then he's a fuckwit

Siam

From Mark Nicholas writing for cricinfo: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/978251.html'>http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/978251.html</a>
 
This is an email from Hogan in January this year:
 
Suddenly, out of nowhere last month, an email was sent to Jeff and me. Through the haze and drugs of pain-relief it talked cricket again, a final offering to the game. This, tweaked here and there, is Martin Crowe's Blackstar (the last David Bowie album).
Jeff is convinced it was meant for the world.
 
<blockquote>"First ball: off the long, eternal run.
 
People in administration (the good and the ones doing their best but not reading the brief properly) come and go, you know, a cyclical thing. And so Srinivasan has gladly departed and Giles Clarke's time is waning. Interestingly Cricket Australia are beautifully on the front foot and, for daring measure, are even dancing down like yesteryear, such is their new found confidence at the helm. A year on from creating a stinky breakaway, the garden smells rosier again and it is grand to see a potential shift back to the central truth. The Big Three were rightly targeted by an aggressive media, who saw the poor getting poorer fast and the divi up unfair and unsubtle. Bye bye Srini. This first, fast curving first ball was you.
Second ball: respectful, 4th stump, consolidation of line & length.
Davie Warner has a second child, named Indi, very cool and diplomatic. He also has a damn good respect for the game too. Nothing but goodwill coming from the Warner Family in recent times. As a result, a heap of focus on notching up daddy ton and,take note, he stands in waiting for the most important office in Oz. Yes, sad that Brad Had got mad and didn't see the exit sign with a smiley face flashing brightly as he departed. That being so, my sympathies with him around his family hardships through a period where there is no escape. It's a hard act to please all. But that's what almost all individuals have done over the last year, governed by strong leaders who have instructed their teams to forgive and forget. Thus they inspired youngsters and their families to follow this vital advertisement for cricket as we all reeled and mourned Phil Hughes. That ball grew us up real fast.
Third ball: pink this one and swinging late, then seaming and bouncing, all under a darkening sky and a floodlit stadium.
Pink balls need greasy conditions, apparently, to make it last the correct amount of overs. I say leave the pitch alone and decide over a few tests on a mark when a second new pinkie is needed. Patience, and a few more games, then the mark will become clearer - as opposed to juicing up conditions which dramatically alter the landscape. The purpose is defeated if manipulation comes first over mystery. Easily fixed in time. Yet, I believe, the horse has already bolted with Test cricket. By not sticking with the proposed test championship concept set down for 2017, the chance, the obvious window, the golden egg, has gone. Not that it won't be tried sometime, but the die is cast on test cricket - it's dumbing down and mediocre standard of participation. It has historic meaning still but has become costly and slow, and has been overtaken by T20. The West Indies have fallen, but they will rise again for sure, dressed in full 3-hour action gear.
Fourth ball: leg-spin mode and spinning fast from leg, a side where a boundary sits obsolete with no chance of catches from a top-edge off these modern bats - the fans are as busy now looking to claim (and protect family from) those skiers, as busy as any outfielder has been.
Ten years ago, Australia played NZ in the first ever Twenty20 International at Eden Park. Thirty-thousand turned up on a balmy night and saw Ricky Ponting, a true great, irresistibly caress the ball to all and sundry for 98 glorious runs. In the com box we wondered, and worried a touch too, about the effect this would have long term - on everything.
As the leg spin is released, forget our long term musings because that momentous wonder we had way back has just hit home. When I read Stephen Flemings quote about 80,883 attending the Big Bash derby match at the MCG on Jan 2, between the Stars in green and the Renegades in red, I felt it. Fleming, not one for throwaway attention, made a call that was forthright and honest, yet said clearly to state a moment in time for all to take notice. "To have more than 80,000 at a domestic match [outside of India] will send absolute shockwaves through the cricketing world".
Cricket Australia, who for long periods of the game's history has been a leading light, had had a quiet time lately. But not any more. When you can invite that humongously friendly family support to watch a three hour game, with supreme facilities, and not just break crowd records but obliterate them, then you get what Fleming is saying. It will only get bigger and better. Meaning something else won't.
Fifth ball: chucked, over-stepped, and lethal in its intent.
And so it took a renegade, Chris Gayle, to take centre stage next, sending another shockwave into the ether via a boundary line interview with a female journalist. The effect of the content delivered by Gayle was undeniable and created a din and a reaction so strong everyone took notice. It reminded us of our greatest wake-up in humanity - the need to see the end of blatant discrimination. Worst of all, it was live on air, rammed down a close up camera, hitting us at the family home or a community gathering somewhere. Young children were watching, transfixed to the exciting energy that Fleming passionately expressed. This need never happen again around cricket. Instantly, I sided with the Stars above and condemned the Renegades.
Final delivery: normal light is fading, dinner is in the air, families gather. Lights are on to full effect.
Another T20 match is about to begin. Many of them now, all around the globe. All of them in properly bona fide competitions with a massive following throughout, often night upon night in prime time television, always aiming to deliver a dose of fun and fever and a winner crowned at the end. And cleverly, everyone has deemed that all is needed to make the ground full is a Family and Friend Pass, at forty or fifty bucks, ensuring folk come together. Just buy a pass and roll on up. By making up numbers to fill the pass, the admin continue to fill the fans seats and all benefit. And, as the younger wannabe man-fan readies himself for another sizzling fast head-high crowd-catch the family flavour rises to fever pitch.
The future of cricket far into the night is safe and sound. By virtue of the game settling into proper competition, well marketed towards a family environment that ensures - no, guarantees - value for all. Meanwhile a test match, searching for connection to a fast-moving modern world, is played somewhere but without enough context or support, and with dwindling hope for its own future. How can they who rule the game have done this?! Australia must act again if no one else will.
Twenty20 - as Fleming said on 2nd January, 2016 - created a wave and no-one has got off the ride that might well have to sustain the game eternally. With a tweak here and there..."
</blockquote>

SammyC

Piss poor 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/opinion/77584757/Liam-Napier-Choosing-golf-over-Martin-Crowes-funeral-not-a-good-look'>http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/opinion/77584757/Liam-Napier-Choosing-golf-over-Martin-Crowes-funeral-not-a-good-look</a>

booboo

Piss poor that it's even a thing? 
Gutter level reporting if you ask me

SammyC

Nope piss poor that these guys can't cancel an appearance at a celebrity golf tournament to attend.

booboo

And fuck up a huge event that had been planned for months and cost millions? 
I respectfully disagree. 
Funerals I've found are about the attendees and their process of dealing with their grief. 
Attendance or otherwise at a funeral is a personal choice and made for many and varied reasons. Expectation of the media and public to publicly bare your emotions shouldn't be one of them. Pre-existing commitments however... 
And really does Martin mind?

SammyC

Yeah because the whole event is completely fucked if a few celebrity cricketers can't play a round with some rich businessmen.

Mokey

Just read that article, Boo, and I agree.
 
People grieve in their own way, and I can imagine there will be many glasses raised in a variety of locations tonight.
 
Martin was an international sportsman and commentator. He would understand better than anyone, that even though it sucks arse to miss something important, commitments are commitments. Besides, I'd say he knew exactly who his closest friends and loved ones were and how they felt. Also, who might jump on a bandwagon.

Paekakboyz

Wonder if the author has attended every wedding he's been invited to, or if he's ever had to miss a funeral...

Rembrandt

Being in the UK for a few years I had to make decisions on what events back home I would make a special trip for. Funerals never made the list. The person is already gone I would rather spend positive time with people still here and tribute to lost ones lives in my own way. Its personal choice and this reporting is repugnant, I see another stuff headline about Russell Crowe not making it..getting pretty damn sick of stuff.co.nz

Godder

Don't know if they'll do it, but it's entirely possible to stream/skype/videoconference the ceremony so others can watch or take part from afar. That could be an option.

jegga

I don't follow cricket but my old man was asking if I'd seen anything in the media from his brother because if there has been anything he missed it. Anyone spotted anything?

Virgil

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jegga" data-cid="562819" data-time="1457227426">
<div>
I don't follow cricket but my old man was asking if I'd seen anything in the media from his brother because if there has been anything he missed it. Anyone spotted anything?
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Jeff? no havent heard a thing about or from. Couple of articles about Russ.
Jeff obviously keeps a low profile these days.

jegga

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Virgil" data-cid="562822" data-time="1457227980">
<div>
Jeff? no havent heard a thing about or from. Couple of articles about Russ.
Jeff obviously keeps a low profile these days.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Yeah, I'm not sure how close they are but even though he knew this was coming you can't grieve in advance so he's probably not in the mood to talk. My brother drives me nuts but if I lost him I'd be a wreck.

canefan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jegga" data-cid="562825" data-time="1457228369">
<div>
Yeah, I'm not sure how close they are but even though he knew this was coming you can't grieve in advance so he's probably not in the mood to talk. My brother drives me nuts but if I lost him I'd be a wreck.
</div>
</blockquote>
I think I read somewhere they were pretty close

Rancid Schnitzel

Can't find the article, but I read he was officiating a game in Bangladesh. Doubt Martin would have had a problem with that. I assume he'll be back for the funeral.

Mokey

Saw some pics on Twitter, they held a minute's silence before the game he was match referee for - everyone stood out in the middle and wore black armbands. He was stoic, head bowed, but fuck it must have been hard.
 
Also saw a shitload of tweets saluting him for carrying on despite the awful news. Get the impression Jeff is held in pretty high regard as an official.

Unco

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jegga" data-cid="562825" data-time="1457228369">
<div>
Yeah, I'm not sure how close they are but even though he knew this was coming you can't grieve in advance so he's probably not in the mood to talk. My brother drives me nuts but if I lost him I'd be a wreck.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Aside from the Mark Nicholas article (where I guess Jeff encouraged him to post the letter Martin sent to the two of them), there was the moment of silence before the Asia Cup game he officiated:
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.cricket.com.au/news/jeff-crowe-12-hours-match-referee-martin-crowe-death-new-zealand-brendon-mccullum-guptill/2016-03-04'>http://www.cricket.com.au/news/jeff-crowe-12-hours-match-referee-martin-crowe-death-new-zealand-brendon-mccullum-guptill/2016-03-04</a>
 
No-one's mentioned it but Rosco and Guppy gave their thoughts yesterday:
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.espncricinfo.com/newzealand/content/story/978681.html'>http://www.espncricinfo.com/newzealand/content/story/978681.html</a>

Siam

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="562846" data-time="1457231549">
<div>
Aside from the Mark Nicholas article (where I guess Jeff encouraged him to post the letter Martin sent to the two of them), there was the moment of silence before the Asia Cup game he officiated:
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.cricket.com.au/news/jeff-crowe-12-hours-match-referee-martin-crowe-death-new-zealand-brendon-mccullum-guptill/2016-03-04'>http://www.cricket.com.au/news/jeff-crowe-12-hours-match-referee-martin-crowe-death-new-zealand-brendon-mccullum-guptill/2016-03-04</a>
 
No-one's mentioned it but Rosco and Guppy gave their thoughts yesterday:
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.espncricinfo.com/newzealand/content/story/978681.html'>http://www.espncricinfo.com/newzealand/content/story/978681.html</a>
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Where Rosco mentioned at Leeds last year Hogan said if he passed, "don't come back for the funeral"
 
Not right to tell people you've never met how to grieve

kiwiinmelb

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jegga" data-cid="562825" data-time="1457228369">
<div>
Yeah, I'm not sure how close they are but even though he knew this was coming you can't grieve in advance so he's probably not in the mood to talk. My brother drives me nuts but if I lost him I'd be a wreck.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
I heard an old interview with Martin through the week after his death, replayed on radio sport , 
 
And he spoke about Jeff and said they werent close as kids , used to fight a lot , and even as adults in the national side they weren't as close as brothers should be , 
 
But have since patched up their differences ,
 
but I was a little surprised by it to be honest , reading between the lines, it didnt sound like their relationship was great

The Silver Fern

RIP Martin Crowe