FROCESTER’S John Evans has been named as captain of the England Over 70 squad for three one-day internationals in August against Australia with Gloucestershire team-mate Nigel Belletty also selected as wicketkeeper.
Evans, aged 71, pictured left, already has three caps to his name after helping England retain the ‘Grey Ashes’ Down Under earlier this year.
And ‘Evo, as he’s universally known, would like nothing more than to play a role in another Ashes triumph on home soil.
The first ODI takes place on August 6 at Colchester & East Essex CC with games following on August 13 at Wellington and August 20 at Maidenhead & Bray.
Evo said: “I’m so pleased, it’s a great honour.
“We had two trial games where I managed to get a few runs and I’ve also managed a few for Gloucestershire this season so hopefully I will be able to lead from the front.
“It’s amazing that the second game is being played at Wellington … I grew up half-a-mile from the ground and used to run round it as a kid so it will be lovely to go back.”
Belletty, meanwhile, was capped by England Over 60s after spending the majority of his club career playing for Stoke Bishop who he served as captain and chairman before being made a life member.
He won nine caps across three series for the O60s and will celebrate his 70th birthday in mid-July.
Belletty made a big impression in a 70s trial match last month against Wales, finishing with five stumpings in a comfortable win.
Gloucestershire are extremely well represented at international seniors level this year as Richard Trotman, of Twyford House, will captain England O50s against the United States on July 4 at Radlett and has also been selected to face India at Broxbourne on July 6.
And Ed Gordon Lennox is in the 60s squad for a five-match series against Australia which gets underway next month.
RICHARD Trotman and Ed Gordon Lennox both compiled unbeaten centuries as Gloucestershire Over 50s and Over 60s extended their unbeaten records.
Trotman was in particularly fine form as he took 4-36 and followed up with 139 not out from 127 (17 fours, one six) as the 50s cruised to a nine-wicket success away to Oxfordshire at Sandford St Martin to remain joint top of their ECB group.
And Gordon Lennox raced to an unbeaten 118 from 73 (14 fours, three sixes) as the 60s romped in by 111 runs away to Cornwall in Perranporth to also stay in pole position.
Gloucestershire O50s’ second string, meanwhile, emerged six-wicket winners away to Devon at Braunton, Alastair Smith capturing 4-19 from nine and Pete Bovey unbeaten on 57.
But the 60s’ second XI lost by nine wickets away to Wales and the 3rds succumbed by 122 runs at home to Wales.
Gloucestershire O70s suffered their second reverse of the summer, losing by eight wickets away to Worcestershire despite a superb 96 from Dave Collinson off 86 balls (11 fours, one six).