FORMER England fast bowler Peter Lever has died at the age of 84 following a short illness.

Lever was part of the England team that won the Ashes in Australia in 1970-71 under captain Raymond Illingworth on his Test debut aged 30.

Lancastrian Lever, who was nicknamed ‘Plank,’ first played for England earlier in 1970, against a Rest of World XI, matches that were eventually stripped of Test status.

Overall, the Yorkshire-born bowler took 41 wickets in 17 Tests and 11 more in 10 one-day internationals.

He played for Lancashire between 1960 and 1976, and was inducted into their Hall of Fame after taking 796 wickets across 301 first-class matches.

His wife Ros told the BBC: “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.

“An enormous thank you to everyone that has been caring and considerate in supporting Peter through these difficult recent times.”

In the pre-helmet era, a bouncer from Lever hit New Zealand’s Ewen Chatfield on the head during a Test in Auckland in 1975.

The quick thinking of England physio Bernard Thomas saved Chatfield’s life after his heart briefly stopped.

Thomas dashed onto the field, administered heart massage and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and managed to release Chatfield’s tongue.

Lever, a lion-hearted bowler but gentle man, was distraught and even considered giving up cricket.

He later admitted: “I honestly thought I’d killed him as I saw him lying there in convulsions. I felt sick and ashamed and all I could think about was that I wanted to retire.”

Writing in tribute to Lever on the BBC website, cricket broadcaster Jonathan Agnew said the Chatfield incident “nearly destroyed Peter”.

Agnew added: “A few years later, in a famous game between Derbyshire and Lancashire, it snowed and left the pitch as something of a lottery.

“Peter refused to bowl because he thought it was too dangerous.”

Peter moved with his wife to Devon and connected with the local community.

He coached at Lewdown Cricket Club and planted wild flowers around the village.

Agnew added: “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.”

Tributes have flooded in for Lever, with one fan writing: “I was fortunate to enjoy his company on numerous occasions. A great bloke. RIP Peter.”

Another wrote: “Great player. Even better human being. Thoughts with his family.”