A batsman much maligned because for his slow scoring, Devon-born but Australia raised Peter Bowler finished with over 19000 runs at 40.51 in a career which took in three counties and one state.

A self-effacing and amusing character, Bowler recalled one spectator told watching him bat was "like listening to paint dry" but he had his moments. He had played for Australia Under-19s by the time he returned to England to ply his trade, and although he scored a hundred on his county debut for Leicestershire, he soon moved to Derbyshire where he heralded his arrival with two hundreds in his first four outings. In 1994 he again moved, this time to Somerset where he stayed for the remaining decade of his career.

He passed 1000 runs in a season ten times and, despite his reputation, was also a more than useful one-day player, winning twice in five Lord's final appearances.

"I was the greatest generator of income for clubs, greater than Flintoff, Botham and the rest" he told a meeting of the Cricket Society in 2011. "Whenever I went out to bat, the stands emptied and bars and restaurants were filled to capacity."

Since retiring he was worked as a corporate lawyer and more recently a property developer.
Martin Williamson