By Steve Hill
JOHN Evans has been named vice-captain of England’s Over-70 side who will face the ‘Grey Ashes’… and will be joined in Australia by his Frocester club-mate James ‘Slim’ Catto, who will be the tour scorer.
The duo will head to Down Under on January 27 for the month-long trip which will include three one-day international matches and eight representative matches.
Evans, 71, earned his first England cap against Wales in the summer, marking his debut with an unbeaten 66 in a comfortable 161-point win.
And the chairman of Frocester is so determined to be in the best possible shape for the Australian tour that he is already dieting and improving his fitness by cycling while there are also plans to install indoor nets on a bowling machine!
‘Evo, as he is popularly known, has not played for Frocester this season, opting instead to officiate locally and, as part of a new initiative, secure important Championship points for the WEPL 2nd team .
But he went on to open for both Gloucestershire Over 60s and 70s with such success that he managed to pass 1,000 runs for the summer, including scoring a career-high 153 unbeaten 70s against Worcestershire.
Evo said: “I’m really happy to have been selected for the trip and to be vice-captain, and I’m really happy to have my wife Judy coming too.
“The team can’t wait to get going…any England team against Australia wants to win and we’re no different.”
There is no ECB funding for the trip, so the 18 members of the tour group must pay for their own travel. Subject to fitness, players are guaranteed to appear in at least seven matches, but selection for ODIs will be on form alone.
Slim, meanwhile, is set to score the full tour after being recommended for the role by Evo who said: “England were looking for someone who was not just an experienced goalscorer but would also a good tourist – and I couldn’t think of anyone better!
Slim, who has been scoring at Frocester for five seasons and whose sons Angus and Jock both play for the club, could be forgiven for splitting loyalties ahead of the Gray Ashes as he holds an Australian passport thanks to his mother who was originally from Tasmania.
But the 55-year-old said: “Australians won’t need any help from me!
“It’s going to be a great trip. I lived in Sydney for eight months and have a sister who lives in Geelong, near Melbourne, so it will be nice to catch up.
Evo, along with the rest of the game team, tries to attract sponsors to help cover the necessary funds for game fees and expenses.
Companies can purchase advertising space in a special A5 brochure being made for the tour. For more details, email Evo at: evonets100@btinternet.com
