CRICKET commentator Peter West, who died on Tuesday at the age of 83, was educated at Cranbrook School where he distinguished himself on the sports field.

Mr West, who was born in Surrey in 1920, arrived in Cranbrook in 1924 when his father retired from the City to open a poultry farm.

He was enrolled at the school in Crowden House, leaving in 1939 as head of school.

Mr West played in the school's cricket Ist XI for five years and captained the team for the last three. He also played rugby and hockey for the school and was captain of both teams in his last two seasons, leading an undefeated rugby side.

After school, he enrolled at Sandhurst and was commissioned in the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment, 33rd Foot - which had the reputation of playing the best rugby in the Army. But a back injury gave him increasing trouble and he was eventually invalided out in 1944.

He turned first to journalism with the Exchange Telegraph Agency before finding his true niche as a radio and television presenter.

Although best known for his cricket coverage, he also commentated on the Olympics, Wimbledon and many other sports.

The versatile Mr West also presented Come Dancing, although he later admitted being a hopeless dancer himself, and hosted other programmes such as What's My Line? Guess My Story and the holiday programme Wish You Were Here.

But Mr West never forgot his alma mater and was a stalwart of the Old Cranbrookians Association. He died at his home in Bath of cancer after a long illness. He leaves a widow Pauline, a daughter and two sons.