Cricket Mourns the Loss of a Fast Bowling Pioneer

Former Lancashire and England fast bowler Peter Lever has passed away at age 84 after a brief illness, leaving behind an enduring legacy in the sport he graced for nearly two decades.

A Distinguished International Career

Lever made his Test debut during England's triumphant 1970-71 Ashes tour of Australia under captain Raymond Illingworth. His career highlights include:

• 17 Test appearances (1970-1975) with 41 wickets
• Participation in cricket's first-ever ODI (a 40-over match against Australia in 1971)
• 10 ODI appearances with 11 wickets

Lancashire Loyalty

Lever's county career spanned 16 years (1960-1976) with Lancashire, where he established himself as one of England's most feared fast bowlers:

• 301 first-class matches
• Nearly 800 first-class wickets
• Key figure in Lancashire's Gillette Cup successes

Character Beyond Cricket

Teammates and contemporaries remember Lever not just for his bowling prowess but also his principles:

• Refused to play against South Africa in 1965 due to apartheid
• Withdrew from bowling in hazardous conditions at Buxton
• Mentored young bowlers including BBC's Jonathan Agnew

"He had a massive influence on my cricketing life. They say you should never meet your heroes. I'm so lucky that I got to know mine." - Jonathan Agnew, BBC Chief Cricket Commentator

Post-Retirement Contributions

After retiring, Lever served as England's bowling coach under Illingworth. He later moved to Devon where he:

• Coached at Lewdown Cricket Club
• Became active in community projects
• Continued influencing young cricketers

A Family Man's Farewell

His wife Ros remembered him as "a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather" who remained connected to cricket until his final days.

Lever's career bridged cricket's transition from amateur to professional era, leaving an indelible mark on everyone who witnessed his electrifying run-up or benefitted from his wisdom.