The final Cup Match legend for the 2016 series is arguably Bermuda’s most globally famous athlete. His amazing, one-handed, diving slip catch during that initial 2007 World Cup match against India, off the bowling of Malachi Jones, certainly catapulted him into instant notoriety. If that feat itself was not enough, the resultant zigzag dash about the field during the celebratory aftermath surely added to the occasion.

There is no doubt that Dwayne Leverock enjoyed and embraced the cricketing stage. His statistics reveal that he was not only an entertaining performer, but that he was a most productive one as well. He concluded his Cup Match career with a haul of 46 victims. This included five-wicket hauls in 2000 and 2002. Both matches ended in Somerset victories.

During a brief stint in 2005 as the interim national coach, I gave the squad a few documents to read. Upon questioning the players about the content during a subsequent practice, it became very evident that one player, in particular, had read all the material thoroughly — Dwayne had a positive response for every question posed.

Even now, more than ten years later, he amazes me during our commentating stints with his vast knowledge of the game and with his insights. It is very apparent that he is a student of the game.

His cricketing career has been a most interesting one, as he has played with an array of teams locally and surprised many an opponent, here and abroad, with his guile and skill.

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Name: Dwayne Mark Leverock.

Date of birth: July 14, 1971.

Length of career: I began playing league cricket at age 13 for Devonshire Recreation Club. That was during the days of Lionel Thomas, Winston “Coe” Trott, Barry DeCouto and Erskine “Choe” Smith. A few years later, I represented the Bermuda youth team in England. My Cup Match career began in 1990, while I was still a teenager. I played in Cup Match 17 times before retiring in 2010.

Role on the team: Left-arm spinner and a late-order bat. I also developed into a slip fielder in my later years. I did begin my career as a batsman.

Childhood memories of the game: I played cricket for Prospect Primary School. I can recall winning the double-wicket completion along with Cal “Patches” Dill. A few years later, while playing with Leon Place, we won the senior double-wicket competition, beating Jeffrey Pitcher and Darrin Lewis in the final at Somerset Cricket Club.

Teams played for: Devonshire Rec, Western Stars, Police, Flatts Victoria, Southampton Rangers, Cleveland County, the Bermuda ICC teams, and the Somerset Cup Match team.

Nickname(s): Sluggo. I got this name when I was playing cricket in the neighbourhood with the older guys. I use to like to slog sixes and would hit the balls away. As a result, Curvin Hendrickson started to call me “Sluggo” and the nickname stuck.

Favourite local match played in: That would have to be a league match that I played in with the Rec against Bailey’s Bay. We were dismissed for 90 and we beat them. I was only 15 at the time. What a treat it was to play with the guys on that Devonshire team. There was also the Cup Match of 2000 in Somerset, when we beat St George’s. I picked up five for 45 that day and ran out Ryan Steede. The ball came past me in the slips and I reached out and grabbed it, but ran back a couple of steps as if I was chasing the ball down. Ryan decided to take off running, thinking that I was retrieving the ball. I flicked the ball back over my shoulder and into his stumps. He was halfway down the pitch and was run out.

Best international feat: I had a ten-wicket haul against Canada in a three-day game in Canada and an 11-wicket haul against the Cayman Islands in a two-day game there as well. At that time, we were the champions of the Americas region. The other significant feat I had was claiming four wickets in that crucial World Cup qualifying match against the United States in Ireland. (Dwayne’s victim’s included Steve Massiah and Clayton Lambert, the former West Indies opener).

Favourite local venue: St David’s. As a bowler, the pitches gave you a chance and the outfield gave you value for your shot.

Overseas, it would have to be one of the grounds that I played on in South Africa.

Favourite player: Muttiah Muralitharan, the former Sri Lanka off spinner. We sat and chatted for about two hours during the 2007 World Cup. At present, it would be Chris Gayle, who is a friend of mine, and Kevin Pietersen.

Number one supporter (Dwayne laughs at this question and proceeds to answer): My mom, Allison Leverock, and my twin sister, Duan.

Pre-match routines: Leading up to a big match, I would bowl for long spells in the nets against both right-handers and left-handers. On the day of a game, I would get up and have some nice old-school reggae in my ears. Once at the venue, I would look around, embrace the moment and just say to myself, “I’m here.”

Favourite dish while playing: Spaghetti with hamburger mixed in. My mom would make it and I would either take it with me or she would bring it along for me.

Biggest regret in cricket: Not playing overseas in England, either at the club level or professionally.

Any superstitions: None.

Funniest thing you have seen while playing cricket: When Clay Smith was on tour with me during the build-up to the World Cup, he was dismissed very cheaply in a match against England. He came into the changing room upon his dismissal and said: “I dreamt about playing against England all my life and this is what happens.” He leant his bat up against the wall and proceeded to give it a karate kick, breaking it in the process. Then, in his next match, against Sri Lanka he got a duck. He again leant this bat up against the wall and broke that one with another karate kick. When we were in England together, I recall travelling with him and we had to make a stop at a sports shop in Sussex. He had to purchase another bat.

Hobbies: Golf and commentating cricket matches. (Dwayne and I have something in common, as he pointed out that he, too, was a huge fan of the late Australian captain and commentator Richie Benaud).

Toughest opponent(s): Wendell Smith, Clay Smith, Janeiro Tucker and Charlie Marshall.

A key to your success: Hard work. In addition, I was a student of the game. I enjoyed reading about the game and going to matches and studying players. In particular, I would go and watch players who I had to play against and observe them. Then I would set a plan for how I would bowl to them.

Advice to today’s cricketers: Have self-belief, train hard and trust your abilities.

Motto you believe in: Hard work pays off. (Sluggo certainly knows about hard work. During one Cup Match in Somerset, he had a spell that consisted of 33 unchanged overs.)