An online petition in New Zealand (by Hirone Waretini) asking the Government to consider Crowe, who is terribly ill and suffering from cancer, has gathered more than 5000 signatures.

However, the 52-year-old former captain does not want this honour to be conferred on him. “I will respectfully decline,” Crowe said in a short e-mail message. His brother, Jeff, another New Zealand captain also felt the knighthood should not be conferred to Martin.

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Speaking from Dhaka, where he is the ICC match referee for the Bangladesh vs Pakistan series, Jeff said: “The knighthood is not needed. He already is conferred with MBE (Member of the British Empire).”

Crowe was awarded this honour in 1991. Recently, he was also inducted into the ICC’s Hall of Fame.

Crowe is battling a relapse of lymphoma and has declined to undergo chemotherapy.