Stroud sporting legend John Evans will return home later this month a hero as he helped England Over 70s retain the ‘Grey Ashes’ Down Under.
Evans, a sprightly 71, started the month-long tour to Australia as vice-captain but an injury to the regular skipper saw the Frocester legend lead the Three Lions in six of the 10 matches of which a dominant England won an incredible nine games.
Opening the innings in the final One Day International decider in Melbourne, a previously in-form Evans, who clubbed 81 in the previous game, fell for a golden duck as he top-edged a rank long hop, but despite this the golden oldies cantered home to a comfortable eight wicket victory to once again lay claim to the Ashes’ urn.
Evans reflected on a wonderful tour, he said: “I cannot believe the welcome that we English have had in Australia – it has been competitive on the pitch and great off the pitch and it was an absolute privilege to skipper our squad, this will be a month I will never ever forget as long as I live.”
