WELLINGTON: Former New Zealand captain Martin Crowe has been diagnosed with cancer, leaving his family “in shock”, the batting great's manager has revealed.

Crowe, 50, was still coming to terms with the news he had the cancer lymphoma, his manager Louise Henderson said.

“The family is still in shock and obviously dealing with the understanding that life as they know it for the unforeseeable future is different,” she said in a statement late Monday.

Henderson did not provide details of how advanced Crowe's illness was, saying the family had requested privacy.

Crowe, a cousin of Hollywood actor Russell Crowe, played 77 Tests for the Black Caps, averaging 45.36 with the bat. His 17 Test centuries is still a New Zealand record.

He worked as a television commentator after retiring from the Black Caps in 1995, with an attempted comeback to first class cricket in Auckland last year cut short by injury.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said the qualities which made Crowe such an outstanding batsman would help him in his battle with the disease.

“Not only was he probably our greatest ever batsman, he was probably the most courageous and determined batsman ever to play for New Zealand,” he told TVNZ. “His determination is never in question.

“Our thoughts and feelings are with him and his family and we wish him all the best for his recovery.”