Martin Crowe was more than just a writing contributor to ESPNcricinfo. Even when he had become visibly ill, his wit and sense of humour remained as sharp as ever (2:11)

Former and current players, writers, broadcasters, members of the New Zealand sports fraternity and beyond poured out tributes for Martin Crowe on the news of his passing at age 53.

Very sad to hear of the passing of martin crowe this morning. An inspiration to me and so many others. One of our true greats. RIP hogan — Stephen Fleming (@SPFleming7) March 3, 2016

RIP Martin Crowe you will always be remembered. You were the BEST I ever bowled against and a top human being. #Gonetoosoon #RIPMartinCrowe — Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) March 3, 2016

"Technically he was absolutely fantastic. He had a presence at the crease and if you combine that with the cricket smarts he possessed you're going to have a pretty good package. It's a pretty simple formula, and he had it in spades."

Former Australia captain Allan Border told the New Zealand Herald

My champion, my hero, my friend. I will love you forever.

RIP M.D.Crowe . pic.twitter.com/PHynH9RNQ7 — Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) March 3, 2016

"Martin was a truly great sportsman - one of our finest-ever batsmen and sharpest cricketing minds. He was a world-class athlete whose exploits on the pitch endeared him to cricket fans around the world, whose leadership helped propel our Black Caps to the 1992 Cricket World Cup semi-final and whose tutelage has helped the next generation to excel."

New Zealand prime minister John Key"You could draw a parallel between the way he batted and Greg Chappell. He was such a beautiful, elegant batsman and a terrific stroke player. When he was going, which he did plenty of times against us, there was no more difficult man to bowl to....We had our tussles in the middle but he was always the first bloke through the door for a beer at the end of the day. A tremendous human being, and I couldn't speak more highly of Martin Crowe than anyone, particularly from an opponent's point of view, on the field and off it."

Former Australia fast bowler Craig McDermott"He's affected so many people in so many different ways. [He was] a passionate cricket person, and a lot of people around the cricket world are mourning him."

New Zealand coach Mike Hesson"I'm going to miss him. Forty years is a long time. I thought we were going to grow old together, play golf, drink wine. It's not to be."

Former All Black Grant Fox, long time friend of Martin Crowe to ONE News"He was a bit of a mentor of mine, someone so willing to help, and he was amazing for my development, because he was such a great player and happy to give anything he thought might help your game."

Former New Zealand team-mate Chris Harris told the New Zealand Herald

So sad to hear that Martin Crowe has passed away. He gave me my first TV job & I could not thank him enough. Team mate and friend. RIPHogan — Simon Doull (@Sdoull) March 3, 2016

Rest in peace Martin Crowe. A wonderful batsmen and a man with courage and conviction. Inspired generations of batsmen around the world. — Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) March 3, 2016

Saddened to hear of the passing of a great cricketer Martin Crowe - the best New Zealand captain I played against. — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 3, 2016

There were occasions when Sachin & me actually copied him, he was one of my favourite batsmen. RIP, Martin Crowe. — Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) March 3, 2016

Very sad to wake up to the news that Martin "Hogan" Crowe has passed away...!!

One of the best to play the wonderful game !! RIP — Ian Botham (@BeefyBotham) March 3, 2016

Deeply saddened to hear that Martin Crowe has passed away, master batsman & one of the great thinkers in our game. #RIPHogan — Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) March 3, 2016

Until we meet again Hogan. Love Tuisi pic.twitter.com/gXJCWlvaCa — Ross Taylor (@RossLTaylor) March 3, 2016

A modern great & Ckt icon MCrowe is no more.Brilliant Ckt brain & a warm persona.Condolences 2 family, Jeff & @BLACKCAPS.Ckt will miss him. — Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) March 3, 2016

RIP Martin Crowe. A very sad day. Thoughts are with friends and family. pic.twitter.com/cfbPHHmSl3 — Grant Elliott (@grantelliottnz) March 3, 2016

RIP Martin Crowe, an absolute legend and an iconic star for the @BLACKCAPS

My deepest condolences to his family and friends. — Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) March 3, 2016

We are all very saddened to hear of the passing of Martin Crowe - a legend of cricket.The thoughts of all @NZCPA members are with his family — Heath Mills (@heathmmills) March 3, 2016

Really sad to hear about Martin Crowe, my thoughts go out to his family. U live amongst us cricketers as a legend forever. May your soul RIP — Shoaib Malik (@realshoaibmalik) March 3, 2016

Just heard the news of Martin Crowe's passing. Brilliant player and ambassador for our game. Sympathies to Jeff and the family. #Hogan — Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) March 3, 2016

So sad to hear the passing of Martin Crowe. One of the games greats on and off the field. My thoughts with family and friends. #martincrowe — Damien Martyn (@damienmartyn) March 3, 2016

One of the most stylish batsmen...one of the finest cricketing brains. The man who adorned my scrapbook is no more. R.I.P. Martin Crowe #sad — Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 3, 2016

RIP Martin Crowe…one of my favorite cricketers who epitomized grace & style https://t.co/YZUmC3Zihu — Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) March 3, 2016

Kiwi Gr8 MCrowe is no more & Crkt world is poorer again..truly giant o modern batsmen & fine analyst!RIP Martin Crowe!Condolences 2 NZ Crkt! — Bishan Bedi (@BishanBedi) March 3, 2016

Devastating news the passing of Martin Crowe, doesn't make it any easier that it was expected, A Great of the Game gone too soon. — Bryan Waddle (@bawads) March 3, 2016

Very very sad morning. One of my fav cricketers, Martin Crowe passes away. Technically the best batsman of the post Gavaskar era. RIP — Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) March 3, 2016

Heartfelt condolences to family and fans of #MartinCrowe. Great cricketer and a fighter till the very end. — sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 3, 2016

T20 has Martin Crowe to thank.#CricketMax — Iain O'Brien (@iainobrien) March 2, 2016

So sad to hear news of Martin Crowe passing away. For those of us who grew up watching cricket in the 80s, we owe him immensely #RIPCROWE — Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) March 3, 2016

Rest in Peace Martin Crowe - a hero for so many my age growing up in NZ, he was the reason a lot of us played & watched cricket #hogan — James Franklin (@jecfranklin) March 3, 2016

RIP Martin Crowe such a classy batsman, innovator #CricketMax , I appreciated immensley his sharp wit in the Beach cricket series #Hogan — Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) March 3, 2016

Saddened to hear about the demise of 1 of my favourite batsman #MartinCrowe A great technician&an astute reader of the game.May his soul RIP — VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) March 3, 2016

Saddened to hear about the passing of Martin Crowe. One of my heroes growing up. Will always remember our round at Royal Auckland #legend — Greg Blewett (@blewy214) March 3, 2016

Sad to hear about the passing of Martin Crowe, our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family #RIP Legend. Loved knowing you. — Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) March 3, 2016

Saddened to hear about the passing of one of our greats Martin Crowe.. Thoughts are with family, friends and the entire cricketing community — Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) March 3, 2016

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