Peter Lever, the former Lancashire and England fast bowler, has passed away at the age of 84 after a brief illness. Lever was a key figure in English cricket during the 1960s and 70s, taking nearly 1,000 wickets for Lancashire and representing England in 17 Test matches and 10 One-Day Internationals (ODIs).
A Remarkable Career
Lever’s international career began relatively late due to fierce competition among England’s seamers. Despite this, he made an immediate impact. Before his official Test debut, Lever played for England against the Rest of the World in 1970, delivering an impressive performance with 7 for 83, including the prized wickets of cricketing legends Graeme Pollock, Garry Sobers, and Clive Lloyd. However, these matches later lost their Test status.
At the age of 30, Lever officially debuted during the 1970-71 Ashes series in Australia. Across five Tests, he claimed 13 wickets, helping England secure a 2-0 series win and reclaim the Ashes. He also made history by participating in the first-ever ODI in 1971, which was played after the Melbourne Test was abandoned.
Although his appearances for England became less frequent, Lever was selected for the 1974-75 tour of Australia and New Zealand. During the Auckland Test, he bowled a delivery that struck New Zealand’s Ewen Chatfield on the side of the head, a frightening incident that left the No. 11 batter requiring on-field resuscitation.
Lever was also part of the England squad that reached the semi-finals of the inaugural Men’s Cricket World Cup in 1975, though he made only one more Test appearance before retiring from international cricket in 1976.
Contributions Beyond Playing
Following his retirement, Lever remained involved in the game. He served as England’s bowling coach under the guidance of Ray Illingworth, passing on his knowledge to future generations. His contributions to cricket were recognized in 2023 when he was inducted into the Lancashire Hall of Fame.
Legacy and Remembrance
Peter Lever will be remembered as a skilled and determined fast bowler who made significant contributions to both Lancashire and England. His legacy lives on through his on-field achievements and his work shaping the next generation of cricketers.
