Martin Crowe suffers cancer relapse

Former New Zealand captain Martin Crowe has suffered a relapse of lymphoma, a type of cancer he was diagnosed with in October 2012.

"After a brilliant year of self discovery and recovery, I have more work to do. My friend and tough taskmaster Lymphoma is back to teach me," Crowe said on Twitter. "To say you can't beat lymphoma is not quite true, many have. Yet follicular lymphoma is incurable, and can be treated and tamed for many long years."

Crowe told Fairfax media he visited the doctor after suffering back pains and tests revealed the cancer had returned. "I was hopeful that after the first episode I might be clear for a few years; I felt very well," he said. "I feel much wiser and better equipped to deal with the situation than I was last time. I'll get stuck into the treatment again with the same resolve and positivity."

I say Lymphoma as a 'friend' coz it delivered me a message to remove the past for good in 2012, which I have. Its returned as the taskmaster

— Martin David Crowe (@MDCroweMentor) September 17, 2014

Crowe had been diagnosed with grade two follicular lymphoma two years ago and at the time he said the rigours of a touring lifestyle during a 13-year New Zealand career had taken a toll on his health. He said his immune system had weakened after suffering illnesses on certain trips, like when he picked up salmonella poisoning in Sri Lanka in 1984.

One of New Zealand's most celebrated batsmen, Crowe, 50, played 77 Tests between 1982 and 1995, before he was forced to quit international cricket due to a bad knee.