They come from a talented family and there could be no clearer sign of the closeness between Russell and Martin Crowe than the heartfelt message the Academy Award-winning actor posted in the wake of his cousin's death.

"My champion, my hero, my friend. I will love you forever. RIP M.D.Crowe," Russell Crowe wrote on his Twitter account at midday on Thursday, not long after the news broke that the New Zealand cricket legend has lost his four-year-long battle with cancer.

The message received scores of kind responses and was 'liked' and re-tweeted hundreds of times with an hour of it being posted.

Earlier, Martin Crowe's immediate family released a statement saying: "It is with heavy hearts that the family of Martin Crowe, MBE advise his death."

Despite their busy lives and distance between them, the cousins remained close. Martin Crowe was among the first to congratulate his cousin - a club owner - when South Sydney ended their NRL title drought in 2014. 

"Congrats #ssfcrabbitohs on greatest victory, bookended by Slamming Sam bravery & GI genius," he tweeted at the time. 

The duo also spent New Year's Day together in Australia in 2015.

In further trans-Tasman tributes, Cricket Australia released a their own kind words for a respected and admired foe. 

"Martin Crowe was amongst the finest players of his generation, a delightful stroke-maker who made an enormous impact in New Zealand and around the cricket world," CEO James Sutherland said.

"He was an important player in the New Zealand teams of the mid `80s which went unbeaten in 10 of 13 series from the time of his debut.

"Martin inspired his country by taking New Zealand to the 1992 World Cup semi-finals and was a revolutionary thinker on the game whose contribution to cricket continued long after he retired.

"He will be sadly missed around the world, including by many Australian cricketers who held deep affection for him and admired his wonderful talents.

"The thoughts of the Australian cricket family are with his family and many friends at this sad time."

The stylish batsman made his international debut in 1982 and played 77 Tests before retiring in 1995. He scored 5444 runs, including 17 centuries, at an average of 45.36.

He played 143 limited-overs internationals and scored 4704 runs, including four centuries.

Martin Crowe is survived by wife Lorraine Downes, daughter Emma and step-children Hilton and Jasmine.

(Sydney Morning Herald)