Former England and Lancashire fast bowler Peter Lever has passed away at the age of 84 following a brief illness. Lever represented his country in 17 Test matches and was a key member of the victorious 1970/71 Ashes team. Notably, he achieved his best Test performance with figures of 6-38 during a match in Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground four years later.
Hailing from Yorkshire, Lever also made his mark in one-day internationals, appearing in 10 matches, including the inaugural ODI against Australia in January 1971. Over his career, he accumulated 41 Test wickets and 11 in ODIs, alongside an impressive tally of 796 wickets in 301 first-class matches for Lancashire between 1960 and 1976.
One of the more harrowing moments of Lever’s career came during a Test in Auckland in 1975 when a bouncer struck New Zealand’s Ewen Chatfield on the head, leading to a life-threatening situation. The incident had a profound impact on Lever, as noted by cricket broadcaster Jonathan Agnew, who remarked that it “nearly destroyed Peter.”
In a memorable 1976 match against Derbyshire, Lever chose not to bowl due to concerns over player safety, highlighting his commitment to the well-being of his fellow athletes.
Lever’s wife expressed deep sorrow over his passing, stating, “It is with a heavy heart that Peter Lever has passed away peacefully today. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who has provided support during this challenging time.”
