Dwayne Leverock: 12 interesting things to know about the former Bermudian spinner and prison van driver

Dwayne Leverock is majorly remembered for his bulky physique and that sensational catch of Robin Uthappa in the ICC World Cup 2007 group match.

Born July 14, 1971, Russell Dwayne Mark Leverock is a former cricketer from Bermuda. Leverock is majorly remembered for his bulky physique and that sensational catch of Robin Uthappa in the ICC World Cup 2007 group match. On his birthday, Abhishek Kumar presents 12 interesting things to know from his cricketing and personal life. 

1.  Only Bermudian to take an ODI fifer: In the third ODI against Kenya in November 14, 2006, Leverock became the first and only player from his nation to take five-wicket haul in ODIs. he bowled 10 overs, conceded 53 runs and picked five wickets. His five wickets included three of Kenya’s best players, David Obuya, Steve Tikolo and Collins Obuya. The other two wickets were of Jimmy Kamande and Nehemiah Odhiambo. Despite his fifer, Kenya posted 305 on board, and Bermuda lost the match by 104 runs.

2.  Most economical Bermudian bowler: Leverock played 32 ODIs in his career and only Irving Romaine played more than him (35 ODIs). So far, Leverock is Bermuda’s most economical bowler with an economy of four. In his 32 ODIs, Leverock also claimed 34 wickets at a decent average of 33.02.

3.  First-Class cricket: When it comes to First-Class cricket, Leverock performed there too. He grabbed 71 wickets in 15 matches at a very good average of 26.74 with six five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket hauls.

4.  2nd heaviest cricketer: Leverock was of 127 kgs during his playing days but not the heaviest one in the cricket world. That record is still held by the former Australian —Warwick Armstrong, who was 140 kg at his prime. Well, some also compared Leverock with father of cricket — WG Grace in terms of weight. Also Read: An overweight cricketers’ XI: Do not take them lightly

5.  Idols: Leverock was a left-arm spinner but he idols were leg-spinner Abdul Qadir from Pakistan and Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan.

6.  ICC Inter-Continental Cup 2005: In 2004, ICC introduced Inter-Continental Cup. Leverock did not do much in First-Class cricket but in a List A match, against United States of America (USA), Leverock took a five-wicket haul and eventually Bermuda won the game by 30 runs. In seven matches, he took nine wickets at 26.66. Bermuda won three from seven matches with one ending in no result. Bermuda came second in the group and subsequently qualified for 2007 World Cup.

7.  Impressive ODI debut: Later, a big break came for Leverock as ICC arranged a triangular series including Canada, Zimbabwe and Bermuda and the matches were given ODI status. Leverock played his first ODI in 2006. It was Bermuda’s ODI debut too. He bowled 10 overs and conceded only 14 runs with one wicket to his name. In the end, Bermuda won their first ODI match by three wickets but then lost to Zimbabwe.

8.  Fined:  After playing in the triangular series, a week later, playing against Netherlands in the ICC Inter-Continental Cup 2006, Leverock took three wickets for 119 in the first innings, followed by 157-ball 51. He got out leg before off the bowling Peter Borren, which probably made Leverock angry and he expressed dissent. He was  fined. Allegedly, he also threw his bat after going back to dressing room.

9.  Praised by Michael Vaughan for dismissing Kevin Pietersen: Bermuda played their 2007 World Cup warm-up matches against England and Zimbabwe but the memorable one was against England. Leverock picked two wickets against England and both of them were of big players. One was of Kevin Pietersen and other was of Paul Collingwood. After taking the wicket of Pietersen, England cricketer Michael Vaughan praised Leverock by saying, “He bowled very well. Any spinner that drags Kevin Pietersen out of his crease and does him in the flight — you know it’s a good delivery. He bowled his 10 overs really well.”

10.  The catch that shocked the cricketing world: In the 12th match of 2007 World Cup, Bermuda were playing against India. Leverock was not known to be a good fielder but fielding at slips during that match in the second over, he took a shocking catch. In the very first ball of the second over, bowled by Malachi Jones, an outside off good length delivery, Robin Uthappa tried to push that on the off side but ended up getting an edge, which followed a spectacular catch. What followed was wild celebration. Leverock blew many kisses to the crowd.

11.  Retirement: After the World Cup 2007, Bermuda’s side played decently for next few months but later it started fading and they lost ODI status in 2009 and Leverock retired from international cricket.

12.  Policeman: Beside being a cricketer, Leverock was also a policeman and a prison van driver. He later admitted that bowling to Pietersen was harder than driving criminals.

(Abhishek Kumar is a cricket devotee currently staffing with Criclife.com. He can be followed on Twitter @abhik2593 and on Facebook at abhicricket.kumar)