Actor Russell Crowe was a pallbearer Friday at the funeral of former New Zealand captain Martin Crowe, who died March 3 after a long battle with cancer.
Former Kiwi wicketkeeper Ian Smith in his eulogy for his 'great mate' said Crowe would be 'mighty impressed' by the crowd who had gathered to see him off. 'Your nation salutes you, rest in peace,' Smith said.
In a Twitter post after the service, Russell Crowe said a haka, or war dance, performed by students from Crowe's former high school, Auckland Grammar, 'shook the earth.'
Martin Crowe's wife, Lorraine Downes, bids farewell to the former New Zealand Cricketer during his funeral at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Auckland on Friday.
Eulogies were delivered by Martin Crowe's wife, former Miss Universe Lorraine Downes, his brother Jeff and former New Zealand wicketkeeper Ian Smith.
Russell Crowe, Martin's cousin, attended the service at Auckland's Holy Trinity Cathedral.
Jeff Crowe, the brother of Martin Crowe, greets guests at the funeral of the former New Zealand cricketer at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Auckland on Friday.
A group of Auckland Grammar School students performed a stirring rendition of the haka after Crowe's funeral on Friday. The group, dressed in their uniforms, performed the traditional, ancestral Maori war cry dance that they nicknamed 'Hogan's Haka'.
Ex-Black Caps wicketkeeper Ian Smith read out a message from Australian great Allan Border, Crowe's fierce rival who became a close friend. 'Cricket has lost one of its iconic players. He will be fondly remembered, greatly missed but never forgotten, a true champion,' Border said.
Former New Zealand cricketer Sir Richard Hadlee arrives at the funeral ceremony for former New Zealand Cricketer Martin Crowe at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Auckland on Friday.
