Former New Zealand captain Martin Crowe has been diagnosed with cancer.

The 50-year-old's manager Louise Henderson has confirmed that the ex-batsman has been struck with lymphoma disease.

"Understandably the family have a number of issues to confront over the next couple of weeks, the diagnosis is very new, the family is still in shock and obviously dealing with the understanding that life as they know it for the unforeseeable future is different," said Henderson.

Crowe racked up 77 Test matches for New Zealand since making his debut at aged 19.