Nottingham-born Kevin Evans began his serious cricket with Calverton and in 1981, aged 17, joined the Notts Colts in the Bassetlaw League.
He gained a place on the full time staff in 1984, making his First-Class debut that summer v Cambridge University. He played two further First-Class matches in his debut season, against the touring Sri Lankans and West Indians, and featured in the John Player Special League.
First-Class and List A appearances were sporadic in his first three seasons at Trent Bridge but in 1988 he finally broke through to the first team for the County Championship and limited overs matches. He gained his County Cap in 1990, when he averaged 46.12 with the bat (including a maiden first-class hundred) and took 34 wickets.
It is arguable that he ought to have been given a little bit more opportunity as a batsman, but he was mainly employed for his accurate bowling, right arm medium fast, which was specifically of use in One Day cricket. His inability to gain a position in the senior side on a regular basis, earned him the soubriquet, ‘Ghost’
Evans, along with West Indian Jimmy Adams, holds the record for the 9th wicket for Nottinghamshire with a partnership of 170, against Somerset at the County Ground, Taunton in 1994. In 1998 he was awarded a benefit match that marked his final full season with Notts.
Injury kept Kevin Evans out of the side for virtually the whole of the 1999 and his departure therefore hardly came as a surprise. After leaving Notts, Evans joined Shropshire and played three seasons of Minor Counties cricket before leaving the game.
His younger brother Russell also played seven First-Class games for Notts.
April 2020
Nottinghamshire First-Class Number: 498