Dwayne Leverock
Encyclopedia
Russell Dwayne Mark Leverock (born July 14, 1971 in Bermuda
) is a former Bermudian
cricket
er.
Known as 'Sluggo' and living above a curry house in Bermuda, Leverock is a policeman and also drives a prison van. At the 2007 Cricket World Cup he was the largest player to grace the pitch, weighing in at 20 stone
(280 pounds). However, he is not the heaviest man to ever play international cricket, as Warwick Armstrong
is believed to have weighed approximately 22 stone.
in their first ever One Day International when they played Canada
on 17 May 2006. Leverock claimed one of Canada's wicket
s as Bermuda won the game by three wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis method
. He has since gone onto play for Bermuda in 11 ODIs, and picked up the first five wicket haul by a Bermudian bowler in ODIs, when he took 5/53 against Kenya
which he achieved by opening the bowling, no mean feat for a spin bowler.
He has also represented Bermuda in all eight of their ICC Intercontinental Cup
matches to date, with a best of 7/57 against the USA
in 2004. He also played in the 2005 ICC Trophy
, the ICC Americas Championship
in 2004 and 2006, and in the 2006 Stanford 20/20
.
As a batsman, Leverock made his first half-century (51) against the Netherlands in the 2006 ICC Intercontinental Cup
, including 8 fours, and shared in a 132-run partnership with Glamorgan captain David Hemp
. It was reported that he "enjoyed his time at the crease so much that he expressed dissent when he was given out lbw, and was consequently fined for the action.". He made his second half-century (also 51) against the Netherlands in the 2007-08 ICC Intercontinental Cup
, which included some powerful straight fours.
Leverock took the wickets of Paul Collingwood
and notably Kevin Pietersen
, his 10 over spell returning figures of 2 for 32 and resulting in Leverock attaining a cult following around the world. Leverock commented, "It was the first time I have played against a team like this. I settled into a rhythm, and when I settled, I took wickets. The wicket was turning a little bit". England captain Michael Vaughan
was full of praise for Leverock's performance. "He bowled very well. Any spinner that drags Kevin Pietersen
out of his crease, and does him in the flight, is a good bowler".
Against Sri Lanka, Leverock took the wicket of Sri Lanka wicket-keeper
Kumar Sangakkara
, but missed two opportunities to catch Sri Lanka captain, Mahela Jayawardene
. Leverock's 10 overs cost 67 runs.
Leverock took a stunning, diving one-handed slip catch to dismiss Robin Uthappa
off Malachi Jones
' 1st ball in World Cup Cricket, (the 2nd over of the game) against India, which triggered off wild celebrations. Leverock also took the wicket of Yuvraj Singh
and performed his trademark "jig" to celebrate. However, his 10 overs were expensive, going for 96 runs.
With the shock of the death of Bob Woolmer
, British tabloid fury at Andrew Flintoff
's drunken shenanigans and sub-continental unhappiness at underperforming superstars, Leverock became the feel-good hit of the 2007 Cricket World Cup
.
Bermuda coach Gus Logie
, the former West Indies international, is an admirer of left-arm spinner Leverock. "He's big and because of that he attracts a lot of attention, but it does not deter him," Logie says.
Dwayne's performances in the 2007 World Cup won him the Bermuda Sun Sports Personality of the Year for the second year running. Dwayne remarked that 2007 "has been a memorable year."
He also mentioned, "A lot of people do recognize me now, which surprised me. I noticed it most coming through Heathrow on our tour of Europe. English people, Indians, Sri Lankans, anyone who knew cricket seemed to recognize me."
"Quite a few came up and asked for a picture or an autograph, which is a nice feeling."
The British media greeted his performance at the World Cup with headlines such as "Owzfat" "Bermuda pie-angle" and "Lard before wicket".
which resulted in the team losing its One Day International status and failing to qualify for the 2011 Cricket World Cup
.
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
) is a former Bermudian
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
er.
Known as 'Sluggo' and living above a curry house in Bermuda, Leverock is a policeman and also drives a prison van. At the 2007 Cricket World Cup he was the largest player to grace the pitch, weighing in at 20 stone
Stone (weight)
The stone is a units of measurement that was used in many North European countries until the advent of metrication. It value, which ranged from 3 kg to 12 kg, varied from city to city and also often from commodity to commodity...
(280 pounds). However, he is not the heaviest man to ever play international cricket, as Warwick Armstrong
Warwick Armstrong
Warwick Windridge Armstrong was an Australian cricketer who played 50 Test matches between 1902 and 1921. An all-rounder, he captained Australia in ten Test matches between 1920 and 1921 and was undefeated, winning eight Tests and drawing two...
is believed to have weighed approximately 22 stone.
Playing career
Leverock played with the Bermudian cricket teamBermudian cricket team
The Bermudian cricket team is the team representing Bermuda in the sport of cricket, governed by the Bermuda Cricket Board. The Bermuda Cricket Board was elected to Associate Membership of the International Cricket Council, the global ruling body for the sport, in 1966...
in their first ever One Day International when they played Canada
Canadian cricket team
The Canada cricket team is the national cricket team representing Canada in men's international competition. It is run by Cricket Canada.While Canada is not sanctioned to play Test matches, the team does take part in One Day International matches and also in first-class games against other...
on 17 May 2006. Leverock claimed one of Canada's wicket
Wicket
In the sport of cricket the word wicket has several distinct meanings:-Definitions of wicket:Most of the time, the wicket is one of the two sets of three stumps and two bails at either end of the pitch...
s as Bermuda won the game by three wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis method
Duckworth-Lewis method
In the sport of cricket, the Duckworth–Lewis method is a mathematical formulation designed to calculate the target score for the team batting second in a one-day cricket or Twenty20 cricket match interrupted by weather or other circumstance...
. He has since gone onto play for Bermuda in 11 ODIs, and picked up the first five wicket haul by a Bermudian bowler in ODIs, when he took 5/53 against Kenya
Kenyan cricket team
The Kenya national cricket team is the team that represents the country of Kenya in international cricket matches. They are considered one of the strongest of the associate member nations of the International Cricket Council, especially since reaching the semi-final of the 2003 Cricket World Cup...
which he achieved by opening the bowling, no mean feat for a spin bowler.
He has also represented Bermuda in all eight of their ICC Intercontinental Cup
ICC Intercontinental Cup
The ICC Intercontinental Cup is a cricket tournament organised by the International Cricket Council as part of its cricket development programme...
matches to date, with a best of 7/57 against the USA
United States cricket team
The United States national cricket team is the team that represents the United States of America in international cricket matches. The team became an associate member of the International Cricket Council in 1965...
in 2004. He also played in the 2005 ICC Trophy
2005 ICC Trophy
Ireland beat Bermuda easily as Ed Joyce made 103 for the hosts in Stormont.----Denmark beat Uganda by 28 runs as Thomas Munkholt Hansen took 6 for 30 to carry Denmark to a 28-run win over Uganda in Muckamore. Denmark made 197 with Henrik Saxe Hansen making 71...
, the ICC Americas Championship
ICC Americas Championship
The ICC Americas Championship is a one-day cricket tournament organised by the Americas Cricket Association for non-Test national cricket teams in the Americas...
in 2004 and 2006, and in the 2006 Stanford 20/20
Stanford 20/20
The Stanford 20/20 Tournament was a cricket tournament in the Caribbean island of Antigua. It was held first in July and August 2006 in the West Indies at the Stanford Cricket Ground, St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda and the same place the year after...
.
As a batsman, Leverock made his first half-century (51) against the Netherlands in the 2006 ICC Intercontinental Cup
2006 ICC Intercontinental Cup
The 2006 ICC Intercontinental Cup was the third edition of the ICC Intercontinental Cup first class cricket tournament, an international cricket tournament between nations who have not been awarded Test status by the International Cricket Council...
, including 8 fours, and shared in a 132-run partnership with Glamorgan captain David Hemp
David Hemp
David Lloyd Hemp is a Bermudian cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-pace bowler, he has domestic cricket for Glamorgan, Free State and Warwickshire. David has a younger brother, Tim, who has previously played for Glamorgan's second eleven. He has also played List A and...
. It was reported that he "enjoyed his time at the crease so much that he expressed dissent when he was given out lbw, and was consequently fined for the action.". He made his second half-century (also 51) against the Netherlands in the 2007-08 ICC Intercontinental Cup
2007-08 ICC Intercontinental Cup
The 2007-08 ICC Intercontinental Cup was the fourth edition of the ICC Intercontinental Cup tournament, an international first class cricket tournament between nations who have not been awarded Test status by the International Cricket Council. The first fixtures were played in June 2007, and the...
, which included some powerful straight fours.
2007 Cricket World Cup
In a warm up game against England, as preparation for the 2007 Cricket World Cup2007 Cricket World Cup
The 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup was the ninth edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup tournament that took place in the West Indies from 13 March to 28 April 2007, using the sport's One Day International format...
Leverock took the wickets of Paul Collingwood
Paul Collingwood
Paul David Collingwood MBE is an English cricketer. He has been a regular member of the England Test side, was captain of the One Day International team 2007–2008. He is also vice-captain of his county, Durham County Cricket Club. Collingwood is a batting all-rounder, whose batting...
and notably Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Peter Pietersen, MBE is a South African-born English cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and occasional off spin bowler who plays for England and Surrey...
, his 10 over spell returning figures of 2 for 32 and resulting in Leverock attaining a cult following around the world. Leverock commented, "It was the first time I have played against a team like this. I settled into a rhythm, and when I settled, I took wickets. The wicket was turning a little bit". England captain Michael Vaughan
Michael Vaughan
Michael Paul Vaughan OBE is a retired cricketer who represented Yorkshire and England. A classically elegant right-handed batsman and occasional off-spinner, Vaughan was ranked one of the best batsmen in the world following the 2002/3 Ashes, in which he scored 633 runs, including three centuries...
was full of praise for Leverock's performance. "He bowled very well. Any spinner that drags Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Peter Pietersen, MBE is a South African-born English cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and occasional off spin bowler who plays for England and Surrey...
out of his crease, and does him in the flight, is a good bowler".
Against Sri Lanka, Leverock took the wicket of Sri Lanka wicket-keeper
Wicket-keeper
The wicket-keeper in the sport of cricket is the player on the fielding side who stands behind the wicket or stumps being guarded by the batsman currently on strike...
Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara is a Sri Lankan, Sinhalese cricketer and the former captain of the Sri Lanka national cricket team. He is a left-handed top-order batsman...
, but missed two opportunities to catch Sri Lanka captain, Mahela Jayawardene
Mahela Jayawardene
Denagamage Proboth Mahela de Silva Jayawardene , known as Mahela Jayawardene, is the former captain of the Sri Lankan cricket team. He is a specialist batsman who has a Test average of over 50, and an ODI average in the 30s...
. Leverock's 10 overs cost 67 runs.
Leverock took a stunning, diving one-handed slip catch to dismiss Robin Uthappa
Robin Uthappa
Robin Venu Uthappa is an Indian cricketer. His father is Venu Uthappa, an international hockey referee from Kodagu, Karnataka, mother Roselyn is a home maker and hails from Kozhikode, Kerala and his sister Sharon is a business owner. He studied at St. Joseph's Boys High School, Bangalore...
off Malachi Jones
Malachi Jones
Malachi Olin Jones is a Bermudian cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-fast bowler. He has played three One Day Internationals to date for Bermuda, all against Kenya in November 2006...
' 1st ball in World Cup Cricket, (the 2nd over of the game) against India, which triggered off wild celebrations. Leverock also took the wicket of Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh Bhandal is an Indian cricketer, and the son of former Indian fast bowler and Punjabi movie star Yograj Singh. He has been a member of the Indian cricket team since 2000 and played his first Test match in 2003. He was the vice captain of the ODI team from late-2007 to late-2008...
and performed his trademark "jig" to celebrate. However, his 10 overs were expensive, going for 96 runs.
With the shock of the death of Bob Woolmer
Bob Woolmer
Robert Andrew Woolmer was an international cricketer, professional cricket coach and also a professional commentator...
, British tabloid fury at Andrew Flintoff
Andrew Flintoff
Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff MBE is a former English cricketer who played for Lancashire County Cricket Club, England and the Indian Premier League team Chennai Super Kings. A tall fast bowler, batsman and slip fielder, Flintoff according to the ICC rankings was consistently rated amongst the top...
's drunken shenanigans and sub-continental unhappiness at underperforming superstars, Leverock became the feel-good hit of the 2007 Cricket World Cup
2007 Cricket World Cup
The 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup was the ninth edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup tournament that took place in the West Indies from 13 March to 28 April 2007, using the sport's One Day International format...
.
Bermuda coach Gus Logie
Gus Logie
Augustine Lawrence Logie is a former West Indies and Trinidad and Tobago cricketer and is currently an international cricket coach....
, the former West Indies international, is an admirer of left-arm spinner Leverock. "He's big and because of that he attracts a lot of attention, but it does not deter him," Logie says.
Dwayne's performances in the 2007 World Cup won him the Bermuda Sun Sports Personality of the Year for the second year running. Dwayne remarked that 2007 "has been a memorable year."
He also mentioned, "A lot of people do recognize me now, which surprised me. I noticed it most coming through Heathrow on our tour of Europe. English people, Indians, Sri Lankans, anyone who knew cricket seemed to recognize me."
"Quite a few came up and asked for a picture or an autograph, which is a nice feeling."
The British media greeted his performance at the World Cup with headlines such as "Owzfat" "Bermuda pie-angle" and "Lard before wicket".
Retirement
Leverock announced his retirement from international cricket in April 2009 after Bermuda finished in a disappointing ninth place in the 2009 ICC World Cup Qualifier2009 ICC World Cup Qualifier
The 2009 ICC World Cup Qualifier was a cricket tournament that took place in April 2009 in South Africa. It was the final qualification tournament for the 2011 Cricket World Cup....
which resulted in the team losing its One Day International status and failing to qualify for the 2011 Cricket World Cup
2011 Cricket World Cup
The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup was the tenth Cricket World Cup. It was played in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. It was Bangladesh's first time co-hosting a World Cup...
.
Other sports
Leverock previously played football at Hull City with Bermudian team Zebras, where he was a striker. Leverock also plays golf.External links
- Statistical summary from CricketArchiveCricketArchiveCricketArchive is a website that aims to provide a comprehensive archive of records relating to the sport of cricket. It claims to be the most comprehensive cricket database on the internet, including scorecards for all matches of first-class cricket , List A cricket , Women's Test cricket and...
- Heavyweight performance from Leverock from International Herald TribuneInternational Herald TribuneThe International Herald Tribune is a widely read English language international newspaper. It combines the resources of its own correspondents with those of The New York Times and is printed at 38 sites throughout the world, for sale in more than 160 countries and territories...
- Cricinfo article
- BBC Interview with Dwayne Leverock
- Cricket Web profile of Dwayne Leverock
- Article on Dwayne Leverock at www.cricket365.com
- Bernews: Dwayne Leverock Bio, Photos, Video