Saturday 28 March 2015 18:47, UK
Martin Crowe says he can "happily live with" New Zealand's World Cup final against Australia being potentially the last cricket match he ever watches.
The 52-year-old former Black Caps captain is suffering from lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system.
Crowe made an initial recovery after being diagnosed with the disease in 2012 but wrote on Twitter last September: "After a brilliant year of self-discovery and recovery I have more work to do. My friend & tough taskmaster Lymphoma is back to teach me."
He has since undergone chemotherapy but despite remaining seriously ill, he is still excited about Sunday’s big clash in Melbourne, the first time New Zealand have made it to the final of the competition.
"On Sunday, in front of a packed house at the one and only Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia and New Zealand go to war once again,” Crowe wrote on ESPN Cricinfo.
“This time not as brothers in arms but as fierce rivals, a rivalry all the more meaningful for our long history together.
"We are brothers and will always be. On Sunday one sibling will upset the other. As one of those proud brothers, I am stunned by the prospect.
"Without question, this will be the personal cricketing highlight of my life, and I sense for New Zealand too.
"My precarious life ahead may not afford me the luxury of many more games to watch and enjoy. So this is likely to be it. The last, maybe, and I can happily live with that."
Brendon McCullum's positive approach to batting and captaincy has helped guide New Zealand to the final, while Martin Guptill’s 237 not out against the West Indies in the quarter-final is a World Cup record.
"To see the two sons I never had, Ross Taylor and Marty Guptill, run out in black, in sync with their close comrades, drawing on all their resolve and resilience, will be mesmerically satisfying,” added Crowe.
"I will hold back tears all day long. I will gasp for air on occasions. I will feel like a nervous parent.
“I will, like so many Kiwis making the short trek across the Tasman (Sea), feel this to be the greatest cricketing time of our lives.
"Four million dare to believe, while 11 (and back-up) dare to achieve. Whatever happens, March 29 at the MCG will be the most divine fun ever."
Watch the Cricket World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand. Coverage begins on Sky Sports World Cup at 3:55am on Sunday.
