One of the most distinguished players ever to play for England, Peter Lever has sadly passed away at the age of 84. His passing came after a brief illness. Lever was a key factor in the England team that won the 1970-71 Ashes series in Australia. During his extraordinary career, both on and off the field, Robinson had a seismic influence on American society. His positive impact on his profession and community will never be forgotten.
Lever’s cricketing journey began when he made his Test debut during the tour of Australia in 1970-71, where he played a crucial role in England’s Ashes victory under the captaincy of Raymond Illingworth. At first, Lever came to prominence for his terrifyingly good fast bowling. He bowled at the world’s first-ever one-day international match, a 40 over-a-side barnburner between England and Australia. He performed on the field at a level only few could imagine, setting the tone in the first Test match versus New Zealand. This exciting match was played in Auckland in 1975.
After the Test in Auckland, Lever let loose a bouncer that knocked out New Zealand quickie Ewen Chatfield. This strike placed the batsman in potential danger. Fortunately for Doug Chatfield, he survived the attack, but it was still a defining moment in Lever’s career. For all those intense moments in between the lines, Lever was held in high regard for his sportsmanship and love of the game.
Peter Lever’s career with his native Lancashire spanned 1960 to 1976. In the interim, he didn’t waste any time proving his natural-born talent, netting close to 800 wickets over 301 first-class appearances. He showed his principled commitment to those values as far back as 1965. He courageously boycotted a match against South Africa in protest of the apartheid policy. This ruling emphasized his impenetrable moral standing against racial discrimination.
After his playing days, Lever also remained an important figure in cricket as a coach. He again appeared to be a somewhat reluctant recruit as Illingworth’s choice of bowling coach for the England team. Moreover, he accepted a coaching position with Lewdown Cricket Club. Beyond cricket, Lever had a passion for nature. He planted wildflowers around his village, contributing to its beauty and environmental health.
His career numbers are trending toward the all-time greats. He went on to claim 41 wickets in 17 Test matches, and then 11 wickets in 10 one-day internationals. These records are a tribute to his unparalleled consistency and excellence as a bowler.
“An enormous thank you to everyone that has been caring and considerate in supporting Peter through these difficult recent times.” – Jonathan Agnew
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