Yesterday in the opener match of ICC T20 World Cup 2016 between India and New Zealand, Star sports presenter Allan Wilkins spoke about Marti Crowe’s achievements and his greatness, the crowd and the players in the middle applauded. Usually at the beginning of the match, both the teams assemble for the national anthems of each of the teams, before going onto the field for battle. But this match had something special before the national anthems started.

Alan Wilkins and all the team members from both the teams along with the match officials paid a heartfelt tribute to former New Zealand captain late Martin Crowe, who had passed away after a battle with cancer on March 3, 2016.

All the Kiwi players had tears in their eyes and especially two players Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor were more emotional as Crowe had helped them in their batting when both were dropped from the national team. The New Zealand players wore a black armband in his tribute.

Both of them were mentored by Crowe and post his death, Taylor had recalled, “Some of my best innings came about because of his advice the night before. I wouldn’t be the player I was without his influence and guidance.”