Joseph Romanos

The fact that Martin Crowe, New Zealand Test cricketer and captain, and one of New Zealand's all-time great cricketers, is still best known in most parts as Russell Crowe's cousin, tells you about as much as you need to know about the place New Zealand cricket holds in world affairs.

That's not the fault of Crowe, who, in his heyday was one of the finest batsmen in world cricket. Crowe had what some people would call the misfortune to play for New Zealand, one of the lesser lights of international cricket. His career batting average in the mid-40s is particularly fine in the era of sustained fast bowling and until his knee injury interfered, he was quite the useful medium pacer.

However, as one reads "Tortured Genius" outside of Timaru, one cannot brush off the feeling that the title "Tortured Genius", while fitting for a Vincent van Gogh or Emily Dickinson, it seems hyperbolic for it to refer to a bloke who played cricket for the team that got close to making the final of the 1992 World Cup.… (meer)