He was New Zealand cricket's greatest test batsman and a titan of the game internationally.

And now at age 53, Martin Crowe has passed away after a lengthy battle with lymphatic cancer.

Prodigious style at the crease – the late Martin Crowe. Photo: martincrowe.com

A statement released by his wife and former Miss Universe Lorraine Downes read 'God speed, rest in peace – it's with heavy hearts that the family of Martin Crowe MBE advise his death”.

Crowe strode onto the international cricket scene as a 19-year-old and quickly earned the reputation as a batsman of rare elegance, poise and range and was hailed the best young batsman in the world.

He was both a fierce competitor and a devoted student of the game.

Tributes have flowed for Martin Crowe– 'One of our true greats, RIP Hogan,” says former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming. 'For those of us watching cricket in the 80's we owe him immensely,” says Scott Styris.

His standing transcended the codes. 'A true New Zealand sporting great,” says a message from the All Blacks and 'One of the finest thinkers of our game,” Tom Moody former Australian cricketer.

When Martin Crowe's test career ended he was New Zealand's highest run-getter and century maker (a record that stands today), a scorer of over 10,000 international runs and a pillar in his teams gutsy test performances though the 1980's.

Another New Zealand cricketing legend Sir Richard Hadlee described Crowe as 'a real class.”

Crowe's father Dave was a former domestic cricketer while his brother Jeff went on to captain the New Zealand cricket side. They were cousins of Hollywood actor Russell Crowe.

Marin Crowe is survived by wife daughter Emma and step-children Hilton and Jasmine.