EVERSON IN OTAGO

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 297, 15 December 1936, Page 16

EVERSON IN OTAGO

AITCKLANDEB IMPRESSES. "BEST KEEPER IX NEW ZEALAND SINCE JAMES." (By Telegraph.— Special lo "Star.") DUNE DIN, this4ftay. The ex-Auckland cricketer, 0. Everson, lias made a good impression here as wicketkeeper, and the "Evening Star's" writer says:—"The npn-inchision of Everson among the players for representative practice is a mistake. It is well known that the Otago Cricket Association's professional coach, F. T. Badcock, regards Everson as the best wicketkeeper in Otago I even going so far as to say he is

the best keeper he has seen in New Zealand since Ken James, of the*l9"27 and 1931 teams to England. That is hi.?h praise indeed, but having regard to Everson's high-class display in club games, when standing up to all classes of bowling, it is justifiable.

"Everson is a useful batsman also, and if class merits recognition then his omission from practice should be immediately rectified."

Payne, an intermediate schoolboy, scored 108 not out on Saturday in third glade cricket, his second century on successive Saturdays. In four innings, once not out this lad has scored 333, giving him the remarkable average of 111 runs per innings.

0. J. N. Everson, formerly or I'urnell, later played for Y.M.C.A. lie is now a divinity student in Dunedin. Infantile paralysis some years ago left him partially disabled; despite which, like D. B. Edmonds (North Shore), who also suffers from a physical disability, he keeps wickets in remarkably able fashion. In 1031 Everson (48) was top-score for Mount Albert Grammar School in the annual match with Whangarci High School.