Martin David Crowe is the finest batsman New Zealand Cricket has produced. In 1992 he captained the NZ team to the Semi Final of the Cricket World Cup and in doing so caught the hearts of a nation. His score of 299 against Sri Lanka in 1991 stood as the highest score by a New Zealand in a test until 2014.

His work as a commentator and producer of Cricket for Sky TV New Zealand transformed the way the game was viewed in this country and his invention of Max Cricket was the genesis of T20 Cricket, the most watched version of the game.

He is a writer and columnist and in 2015 was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. He is a mentor to NZ Batsmen Ross Taylor and Martin Guptill and has provided inspiration and motivation to the 2015 World Cup Finalists.

Martins fight with Cancer, his initial victory appeared to be outright but turned out to be only first innings' points. His condition is terminal and there is no knowledge as to how long he has to live.

He, after Sir Richard Hadlee is the iconic figure in NZ Cricket of the last 30 years. He has inspired generations of young cricketers and is a genuinely great New Zealand leader.

The award of a Knighthood should bear no discussion. Its award with urgency given the uncertainty over Mr Crowe's life expectancy bears less.

I call upon the Government of New Zealand via the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Awards Committee to petition the Governor General to recommend to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II that this honour be so granted.