A visiting English couple received the rare opportunity to meet with Bermuda World Cup veteran Dwayne (Sluggo) Leverock over the weekend.

Don and Eunice McGevor — formerly of Cheshire, England — flew all the way from New Zealand to meet the affable cricketer who first captured their fascination while representing Bermuda during last summer’s inaugural Standford Twenty20 Tournament in Antigua.

The McGevors are frequent visitors to the Island — and now big fans of Leverock.

“The announcers on the television could not believe how agile he is for his size. He’s doesn’t look like a cricketer ... he looks more like a rugby player. But he’s so agile,” commented retired installation engineer Don McGevor.

“I watched Leverock take that excellent catch off Malachi Jones’ very first ball against India during the World Cup and back home in the press they named him the ‘Gazelle’.

“And as far as entertainment value is concerned I thought the minnows were better than all of the other teams put together because you had the Australians who went out there with this attitude that they have to win. But cricket is also a fun game and so you have to enjoy it as well.”

Following last Saturday’s Western Counties opening-round match involving champions Somerset Bridge and challengers Southampton Rangers at Southampton Oval the couple met Leverock in person and presented him with a New Zealand cricket cap.

“We were very fortunate to get to see him,” McGevor’s wife, Eunice, said. “We gave him a New Zealand cap because Bermuda didn’t get the chance to play New Zealand in the World Cup.”

Yesterday Leverock returned the favour by presenting the visiting couple with autographed Bermuda World Cup memorabilia that will go on display at the Napier Boys High School located in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.

“I think they are a very nice couple. They are actually the third couple that has visited Bermuda to see me play which I think is very special in itself,” Leverock said.

“I’ve had a couple from England and Australia come to visit me and now one from New Zealand.

“And I like to meet new people because if I’m ever in the their neck of the woods I can visit them. We swapped addresses and information I now hope to stay in touch with them on a regular basis.”

Meanwhile, the McGevors — who depart for New Zealand on Saturday — thanked Western Counties Cricket Association (WCCA) president Gary Dowling for arranging the impromptu meeting between Leverock and themselves last Saturday, and also encouraged the Island’s youth to become involved in the sport.