Full Breakdown
Martin Crowe’s Posthumous Portrait Unveiled in Lord’s Long Room Ahead of the 150th Test
6/6/2026, 6:10:45 AM
The Unveiling Event
On 3 June 2026, a portrait of the late New Zealand cricketer Martin Crowe MBE was formally presented in the Long Room of Lord’s Cricket Ground. The ceremony coincided with the start of the first Rothesay men’s Test between England and New Zealand, the 150th Test ever played at the venue. MCC Chair Mark Nicholas, artist Jason Brooks, and Crowe’s daughter Emma Crowe attended, as did members of the New Zealand squad following a practice session.
Historical Context and Crowe’s Lord’s Connection
Martin Crowe represented New Zealand from 1982 to 1995, appearing in 77 Test matches and 143 One-Day Internationals and accumulating more than 10 000 runs. His highest Test score—299 runs against Sri Lanka—stood as New Zealand’s record innings for over two decades. He was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1985. Crowe’s early link to Lord’s dates to the 1981 summer, when he served on the MCC cricket staff on a New Zealand scholarship and scored a century for the MCC Young Cricketers against the MCC side at the ground.
Artist Jason Brooks and the Creation Process
British artist Jason Brooks, associated with the Young British Artists movement, produced the portrait using a monochrome acrylic technique. Over ten thousand publicly available images of Crowe were collated with artificial-intelligence tools to generate a composite reference. The final work, rendered entirely in black acrylic, emphasizes Crowe’s gaze and is intended to resemble a photographic print while fitting the Long Room’s aesthetic.
Key Figures at the Ceremony
- Emma Crowe – daughter of Martin Crowe, present to receive the portrait.
- Mark Nicholas – Chair of the Marylebone Cricket Club, representing the institution that commissioned the work.
- Jason Brooks – artist responsible for the portrait’s conception and execution.
- New Zealand men’s team – attended the ceremony after a practice session, linking the tribute to the upcoming Test.
Significance of the Portrait in the Long Room
The portrait occupies a prominent position between Sir Don Bradman and Sir Viv Richards, with additional legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara, Michael Holding and Imran Khan visible nearby. Posthumous commissions are rare for the MCC; this addition marks an intentional recognition of Crowe’s impact on cricket and expands the club’s art collection. The placement ensures that Crowe’s likeness will be visible to players and visitors throughout future matches.
Official Statements & Responses
The MCC indicated that the portrait serves as a “remarkable tribute” to Crowe’s legacy and reflects the club’s pride in honoring a player whose career bridged both on-field excellence and off-field contributions as a writer and commentator. The decision to commission the work was framed as an exception made possible by collaboration with the Crowe family and the artist’s unique approach.
Verbatim Quotes
> “To unveil the portrait here at Lord’s, and at the same age Papa was when his name first appeared on the Honours Board, makes the moment even more special. It is a remarkable tribute to his legacy.” — Emma Crowe, daughter of Martin Crowe
What’s Next
The portrait will preside over the historic 150th Test, where England faces New Zealand. As the Black Caps take the field, Crowe’s image will “watch over” the team from its place among cricket’s most celebrated figures, linking past achievements with the present contest.
