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Tribute to Peter Lever: A Fast Bowling Legend Passes Away
Peter Lever, the former fast bowler for England and Lancashire, has passed away at the age of 84 following a brief illness. Lever was known for his significant contributions to cricket during his career, having played 17 Test matches for England.
Lever was part of the successful squad that achieved an Ashes victory during the 1970/71 series in Australia. Among his remarkable performances, he recorded his best Test figures of 6 for 38 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground four years later.
Born in Yorkshire, Lever also participated in the early days of one-day international cricket, appearing in 10 ODIs, including the inaugural match of the format against Australia in January 1971.
Over his first-class career from 1960 to 1976, Lever took an impressive 796 wickets in 301 matches for Lancashire. His playing style was notable for its aggression, often leading to dramatic on-field incidents. One particularly harrowing moment occurred during a Test match in Auckland in 1975 when a bouncer struck New Zealand’s Ewen Chatfield, resulting in a medical emergency as Chatfield’s heart briefly stopped. This incident left a lasting impact on Lever, as highlighted by cricket broadcaster Jonathan Agnew.
In his tribute on the BBC’s website, Agnew remarked that the Chatfield incident “nearly destroyed Peter,” recalling that Lever later declined to bowl under dangerous conditions in a match that was affected by snow, reflecting his commitment to player safety.
Lever’s family shared their grief with the public, with his wife Ros expressing, “It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that Peter Lever has passed away peacefully today. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.” She extended her gratitude to all who supported him through his recent challenges.
Peter Lever’s legacy in the cricketing community will be remembered, both for his contributions on the field and for the resilience he displayed throughout his life.
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