Famous Cricketers No 41 - T.G.Evans, C.B.E.

1939 Godfrey Evans made his debut for Kent in 1939. The entry in Wisden states “W.H.Levett, throughout the season, except when on Territorial duties, upheld his name as the best of wicket-keepers. In his absence Evans, 17 years of age, did good service”, although he did not keep wicket in either his first match nor the game against Lancashire at Old Trafford. According to Wisden , Evans kept well in the match against Lancashire at Dover. It is indicative of the times, that in the list of averages for Kent, even his initials are absent. Furthermore, Wisden misquoted his age as he celebrated his nineteenth birthday during that year. Own Team Victim Ct St Byes Opp Score Total Total 1. Kent v Surrey, Blackheath, July 22, 24, 25 (Match drawn) c L.B.Fishlock b A.R.Gover 8 202 (did not keep wicket) 231 (did not keep wicket) 187/8 2. Kent v Derbyshire, Gravesend, July 29, 31, August 1 (Kent won by 171 runs) b G.H.Pope 0 162 c R.H.R.Buckston [N.W.Harding] 1 0 4 137 did not bat - 377/4d 0 0 9 231 3. Kent v Sussex, Hastings, August 12, 14, 15 (Kent won by 108 runs) b J.K.Nye 8 440/8d 0 0 5 191 c H.W.Parks b J.H.Parks 1 223/4d c A.J.Holmes[D.V.P.Wright] 1 0 4 364 4. Kent v Lancashire, Old Trafford, August 19, 21, 22 (Lancashire won by four wickets) lbw b J.M.Brocklebank 2 215 (did not keep wicket) 252 c and b R.Pollard 22 254 (did not keep wicket) 218/6 5. Kent v Lancashire, Dover, August 26, 28, 29 (Kent won by five wickets) c W.Farrimond b R.Pollard 9 182 0 0 0 262 did not bat - 382/5 c C.Washbrook [A.E.Watt] 2 0 12 301 c T.A.Higson [D.V.P.Wright] SEASON’S AVERAGES Batting & Fielding M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St Byes Total Championship 5 7 0 50 22 7.14 - - 4 - 34 1486 1946 In his first full season of first-class cricket, Evans was awarded his County Cap on 3rd July, and following a good match for the Players against the Gentlemen at Lord’s was selected for the winter tour to Australia. This was followed by his first cap for England when picked for the Third Test against India at The Oval, being only his 30th first-class game. Own Team Victim Ct St Byes Opp Score Total Total 6. Kent v Nottinghamshire, Trent Bridge, May 11, 13, 14 (Nottinghamshire won by three wickets) b H.J.Butler 13 250 c C.B.Harris [A.W.H.Mallett] 2 0 8 341 c T.B.Reddick [N.W.Harding] c J.Hardstaff b H.J.Butler 25 408/6d c T.B.Reddick [J.W.Martin] 1 0 0 319/7 7. Kent v Yorkshire, Canterbury, May 18, 20 (Yorkshire won by an innings and 91 runs) c L.Hutton b W.E.Bowes 13 69 c T.F.Smailes [J.W.Martin] 2 0 2 252 c W.E.Bowes [J.W.Martin] st P.A.Gibb b A.Booth 10 92 8. Kent v Northamptonshire, Northampton, May 22, 23, 24 (Match drawn) b E.W.Clark 6 144 c C.P.Davis [C.Lewis] 3 0 7 271 c W.Barron [L.J.Todd] c E.W.Whitfield [D.V.P.Wright] b W.T.Nevell 52 360/7d c E.W.Whitfield [N.W.Harding] 1 0 0 58/3 7