Martin Crowe has said that the World Cup final on Sunday may be the last match he watches. The former New Zealand cricket captain has been terminally ill with follicular lymphoma for the last two years.

According to the 52-year-old cricketing legend, the final clash between Australia and New Zealand at the MCG may be the last time he watches a cricket match. He said that his “precarious life” might not allow him to watch any more matches and enjoy those. He added that he could live with that.

Crowe said that the two neighbouring countries would “go to war once again” on Sunday. However, this time they will not fight together “as brothers in arms.” According to one of the greatest batsmen of the ‘80s and the ‘90s, while Australia and New Zealand “are brothers and will always be,” they will be fierce rivals on the cricketing field.

Crowe called Ross Taylor and Marty Guptill as “the two sons” he never had. He said that it would be “mesmerically satisfying” to watch them “run out in black, in sync with their close comrades.” The former skipper said that he would hold back tears all day long.

Crowe was regarded as an innovative captain of his time. He was among the first to use the pinch hitting batsmen of his team effectively. He also opened with spinners, considered unique in the early ‘90s.

While Crowe speaks highly of both the rival captains in the final, he said that both Michael Clarke and Brendon McCullum were among “the most misunderstood men in the modern game.” However, he said that they were misunderstood by their words, not by their actions. Crowe said that he marvelled at them both while they handled constant pressure.

Crowe said that he would feel like a “nervous parent” while watching the Kiwis play at the final. “My precarious life ahead may not afford me the luxury of many more games to watch and enjoy,” Crowe wrote, “The last, maybe, and I can happily live with that.” Crowe added that there would be four million New Zealanders who would believe while 11 players would dare to achieve.

Crowe wrote in December 2014 that he believed there were three certainties in life: death, taxes and a hundred at Adelaide." However, he added that he was not ready for death.

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@ibtimes.com.au

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