Martin Crowe has Mid Life Crisis (and may well pull it off)

[Flem274*]

Crowe's knee was all but gone when he retired; it was serious. His recent surgery has enabled him to run again.

 

[SteveNZ]

Crowe at the end of his book says that he got too injured failed some fitness tests and quit the game.

Other books are not so complimentary for NZ cricket. They claim that his injury wasn't so bad. And that he went to NZ C and asked them for the permission to play test matches only and the next world cup. NZ cricket refused and said unlesshe was available for all forms of the game he couldn't play.

So Crowe was classy not to point fingers about the end of his career if indeed the other reports are true.

Crowe basically had half his knee cap sawn off and replaced, I dunno about his injury not being so bad. I'd say it was awful. He scored a Lord's ton on one leg, it's pretty amazing viewing in all fairness. I'm not doubting that scenario came along at some stage with the refusal, however. NZC was a shambles around the time of their centenary (1994-95)

Martin Crowe 142 vs England PART ONE - YouTube - watch the footwork. Unreal

My point about the injury was in the semifinal in 1992, where he couldn't field and had to come off. He later blamed it on Wright's captaincy in not as many words, saying if he was fit he would've had different plans and it would've been a different result. When in all actuality, Inzamam and Moin were on fire on a small ground, and I doubt it would've made much difference at all. But he knows we can't ever know, so can't be taken to task.

 

[Top_Cat]

From memory it was a bit of all of the above wasn't it? His knee was bad but` Crowe did want to pick and choose which games he played

 

[Hogan]

Truth

They have done stats to show that when the blackcaps win the number of junior kids registrations goes up immediately. He personally must have inspired a ton of kids in his time to take up the game - those kids go on to play club cricket. I would imagine that junior player registrations could vary by up to 10K in a year easily.

@Athlai - I think if he makes Auckland this year it may be his only season I get the feeling he just wants to score one or two tons at FC level. if I am right about my hunch then he will be in a hurry. Whether this is fair or not on those in Auckland club cricket and Auckland FC cricket is a point of debate. I think he is helping as he is drawing attention to the game.

Guys, the truth is i needed a challenge to get fit. I dont want to take a youngsters place but I want to play each Sat. It didnt worlk with player umpires in 2nd grade, too hard on all involved. I thought I could contribute to a Prem side for 3 yrs, play and coach. Cornwall gave me impression they were fine so I asked Uni. Then Cornwall said they needed me in side, due to withdrawals. So I am pleased to stay and help. I dont want to play for Auckland and wish that side of it never surfaced. Comments about Papatoetoe were heat of the moment after nasty hour towards player umpires. It wont do them any harm to get pitch fixed and Troupy told me. Sledging at player umpires is a no-no. There was no ransom to play, just a clarification that if Prems was full Uni were happy as they had some gaps in team. I live down the road. This was meant to be fun and beenficial all round. I worked hard, practicised well. Batting at Papa was no indication as to my form as the pitch was devoid of life, I feel for anyone batting on it every week. This is unusual so I accept it will sit uncomfortably with some, Cornwall too. But there is nothing sinister, just a chance to run and bat again while I can. It certainly has been a challenge so far with fitness, but i think I can get thru it. I will put a lot into the club thru coaching over the next decade, this is just a starting point, to get fit and re enter a great part of the game. I have been too busy up until now with TV work, but I am free to put back. Tell will tell for you I know, but here goes...

 

[Prince EWS]

Guys, the truth is i needed a challenge to get fit. I dont want to take a youngsters place but I want to play each Sat. It didnt worlk with player umpires in 2nd grade, too hard on all involved. I thought I could contribute to a Prem side for 3 yrs, play and coach. Cornwall gave me impression they were fine so I asked Uni. Then Cornwall said they needed me in side, due to withdrawals. So I am pleased to stay and help. I dont want to play for Auckland and wish that side of it never surfaced. Comments about Papatoetoe were heat of the moment after nasty hour towards player umpires. It wont do them any harm to get pitch fixed and Troupy told me. Sledging at player umpires is a no-no. There was no ransom to play, just a clarification that if Prems was full Uni were happy as they had some gaps in team. I live down the road. This was meant to be fun and beenficial all round. I worked hard, practicised well. Batting at Papa was no indication as to my form as the pitch was devoid of life, I feel for anyone batting on it every week. This is unusual so I accept it will sit uncomfortably with some, Cornwall too. But there is nothing sinister, just a chance to run and bat again while I can. It certainly has been a challenge so far with fitness, but i think I can get thru it. I will put a lot into the club thru coaching over the next decade, this is just a starting point, to get fit and re enter a great part of the game. I have been too busy up until now with TV work, but I am free to put back. Tell will tell for you I know, but here goes...

Haha, if this really is you, Mr Crowe, kudos for taking the time and post here to clear that up. And best of luck, obviously.

 

[Hogan]

It's me. I understand all sides of argument, I have been thru them all. It's a silly challenge but I have committed to it and as soon as it gets too hard, or thru injury I will start coaching only instead. Time will tell.

 

[honestbharani]

It's me. I understand all sides of argument, I have been thru them all. It's a silly challenge but I have committed to it and as soon as it gets too hard, or thru injury I will start coaching only instead. Time will tell.

Yeah, if this is really you Mr. Crowe, all the very best.

 

[Prince EWS]

It's me.

Yeah I don't meant to doubt you too much, but we have had players faked here before on multiple occasions.

I understand all sides of argument, I have been thru them all. It's a silly challenge but I have committed to it and as soon as it gets too hard, or thru injury I will start coaching only instead. Time will tell.

I don't really think it's silly at all; I'd do precisely the same thing if I was in your position. You obviously love the game, you've got a bit more time now and you're trying to get fit. Training for cricket and pushing yourself towards performance goals sounds like a much more motivating and 'fun' way to get fit than doing it without that. The romanticist in me definitely wants to see you absolutely gun it with the bat as well - partially because I've always believed players could perform at high levels in this spot for longer than the conventional wisdom suggested providing they had the drive - but mainly just because it'd be awesome.

 

[Fusion]

Echo others in saying that if this is really you, best of luck and thanks for taking the time to post your explanation here Mr. Crowe.

 

[chicane]

All the best Martin, if it really is you. (only a couple of players have ever posted here as far as I know).

Hope it works well for you and no matter what your continued drive and involvement will greatly benefit cricket there. I'm sure all CW members think its awesome you took time to register and post here, hope you stick around!

 

[G.I.Joe]

Welcome to the forums, Mr Hulk Hogan!

Which Wrestlemania was your favourite?

 

[honestbharani]

Welcome to the forums, Mr Hulk Hogan!

Which Wrestlemania was your favourite?

12.. oops

 

[Hogan]

Its me coz I just sanded both bats down last nite, took some weight off, then taped up face with fibreglass strips. I wore a Blue helmet on Sat when I got out, and have a Green one arriving from Perth soon, hopefully in time for Sat. My niggle at the moment is tennis elbow, whihc is hideous and I am playing for Southern Last Man Stands team on Wed at 5.30pm at Domain no 8.

 

[Prince EWS]

Its me coz I just sanded both bats down last nite, took some weight off, then taped up face with fibreglass strips. I wore a Blue helmet on Sat when I got out, and have a Green one arriving from Perth soon, hopefully in time for Sat. My niggle at the moment is tennis elbow, whihc is hideous and I am playing for Southern Last Man Stands team on Wed at 5.30pm at Domain no 8.

Well welcome to the forum then.

Your commentary will be missed so you're obviously free to give your insights here if you ever feel like discussing a Test; we'd appreciate it. Did Ian Smith really complain about a supposed conflict of interest between your coaching of certain players and your commentary? I always thought it'd be a good thing for the viewers to have the coach of a batsman in the box while he's batting - who better to comment on how he's looking through his innings?

 

[Hogan]

As I said before, that's not a personal contribution to club cricket. He didn't go out to score Test centuries so little Johnny would wander down to the park and sign up. He did for personal gain be it money, fame etc and for team a distant second I would suggest. Throwing John Wright under a bus re his tactics in the 92 semi and saying we would've won if he stayed fit is a perfect summation of Martin Crowe's ego.

Trust me, Martin Crowe is not getting within a mile of the Auckland side. And again, if he wants to be in a hurry so he can get 1-2 FC tons - he is being completely self-serving. He's not above club cricket. He's not even above 2nd grade, on his results so far.

And I argue he's drawing negative attention for the game. What have we seen in the media so far? A 49 year old's self-confessed mid-life crisis, poor standard of pitches, over-appealing and murmurs of being above the normal process of being selected for sides. Ask people involved in the running of Papatoetoe if they're happy with the coverage their club has gained out of Crowe 'gracing' their ground. They are far from it.

And he's gained far more column inches than the first week of the Plunket Shield, where there were several performances from players who actually have futures in the game (at levels other than golden oldies). How about this one - there was a young talent in the Auckland Gillette Cup final today who took four wickets and scored runs, is a member of the Blues rugby development squad and is being head-hunted by a few NRL clubs. Yet a has-been is the news.

If he came back to the game for the right reasons, great. I was actually welcoming of it when I initially heard. But not now.

Steve, I totally understand your comments. I dont get the media at all and all this coverage, but I cant control that. I started out but being happy to ntalk if thats what they wanted, but I never initiated the media. I just initiated myself to play again. It will die down now that the first game is done and I got a crappy 15. Column inches arent my fault. I was arong to speak in the heat of the moment last Sat, but it happened coz I always answer a question with an honest answer and the media were all there wanting a reaction. If you had been a player umpire in that hour you would agree with me. I f you had batted on that pitch, you would feel sorry for the Pap boys havent to front up each week on it. I dont want to play first class cricket except for the MCC, juts to see if I can do it. Its unlikely, but I am benefiting from the training. Selfish, but who else is getting to sort out my health!!

Re 92 World Cup. We were dead unlucky that Wrighty hadnt played any games and didnt know tactics. Smithy was my vc for all those games and he wouldve nailed it on the day. Wrighty was briefed and again at drinks but he refused any advice from me or Smithy. Till this day we still dont know why? He reversed the bowling order, he made only 6 changes instead of 12. It was like he was saying to me you have your way I have mine. But this was a World Cup semi final at Eden Pk and we were capable of winning the whole thing. I had to rest hammy. Wrighty only had to listen a little. Who knows what Inzi wudve done if I or Smithy were captaining. But instructiuns were ignore completely and all that hard work went down the drain. Thats the story of Mar 22, 92'. Other than that stuff up Wrighty has been superb in every way and I have always said that. He is the ideal man to Coach the NZ team right now. Cheers.

 

[Manee]

You reckon you're going to be a regular on the forum?

 

[Ikki]

Echo the sentiments of others. Big fan of you Mr. Crowe and wish you the best.

 

[honestbharani]

Steve, I totally understand your comments. I dont get the media at all and all this coverage, but I cant control that. I started out but being happy to ntalk if thats what they wanted, but I never initiated the media. I just initiated myself to play again. It will die down now that the first game is done and I got a crappy 15. Column inches arent my fault. I was arong to speak in the heat of the moment last Sat, but it happened coz I always answer a question with an honest answer and the media were all there wanting a reaction. If you had been a player umpire in that hour you would agree with me. I f you had batted on that pitch, you would feel sorry for the Pap boys havent to front up each week on it. I dont want to play first class cricket except for the MCC, juts to see if I can do it. Its unlikely, but I am benefiting from the training. Selfish, but who else is getting to sort out my health!!

Re 92 World Cup. We were dead unlucky that Wrighty hadnt played any games and didnt know tactics. Smithy was my vc for all those games and he wouldve nailed it on the day. Wrighty was briefed and again at drinks but he refused any advice from me or Smithy. Till this day we still dont know why? He reversed the bowling order, he made only 6 changes instead of 12. It was like he was saying to me you have your way I have mine. But this was a World Cup semi final at Eden Pk and we were capable of winning the whole thing. I had to rest hammy. Wrighty only had to listen a little. Who knows what Inzi wudve done if I or Smithy were captaining. But instructiuns were ignore completely and all that hard work went down the drain. Thats the story of Mar 22, 92'. Other than that stuff up Wrighty has been superb in every way and I have always said that. He is the ideal man to Coach the NZ team right now. Cheers.

Interesting that you are not saving these for your book But thanks for taking the time out for explanations again.

 

[Flem274*]

Mr Crowe, do you think you could make the Northern Districts side considering their batting without their Black Caps is hilarious?

joking

In all seriousness, if this is you, welcome to the forum.

 

[Hogan]

No book. No leaving Cornwall. After 5 months of hard training is there really a problem asking any club if there is a spot in Prems. 2nds would be fine if there were official umpires, but just imagine the abuse if the player umpire gives me not out as happened. Nothing wrong with reserve grade but sadly it wont work coz its not controlled. Delighted to find there is a chance for Prems this Sat.