New Zealand cricket great Martin Crowe in Sydney on the eve of the Cricket World Cup final.

Cricket legend Martin Crowe has been spending time in a hospice to manage his care as his lymphoma progresses.

Crowe is back at home with his family, but was cared for at the hospice when his wife Lorraine Downes had to travel.

Friends say Crowe is now housebound and his condition has deteriorated significantly since he was last seen in public during the Cricket World Cup in March.

DAVID WHITE/ FAIRFAX NZ A tearful Martin Crowe is inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame at Eden Park during the Cricket World Cup.

Crowe's lymphoma first arrived in October 2012, a disease he described as "a friend and taskmaster", which he initially beat into remission.

The cancer returned in September last year. He was diagnosed with a rare blood disease called double-hit lymphoma. Only 5 per cent of patients live to 12 months.

Crowe was honoured during the Cricket World Cup with his induction into the ICC Hall of Fame at Eden Park.

A campaign for Crowe to be Knighted in the Queen's Birthday honours gathered thousands of signatures, after he took on a mentoring role for the team - and the country - as the Black Caps reached the World Cup final.

He spoke openly about his belief that the World Cup final between the Black Caps and Australia would likely be the last game of cricket he lived through. However, he hung on to see the New Zealand cricketers' tour of England.