Mataura Gains First-Class Wicketkeeper

Southland Times, Issue 23946, 12 October 1939, Page 10

Mataura Gains First-Class Wicketkeeper

“Best since Ken James,” was how F, T. Badcock, the professional coach engaged by the Otago Cricket Association, described Mr O. J. M. Everson, who will come as minister to the Mataura Church of Christ next month. Mr Everson has. stated that he intends to play cricket in Mataura this season. His first senior matches were played in Auckland among many New Zealand representatives, including H. G. Vivian and W. M. Wallace. He was an Auckland junior representative for two years and played in a sub-as-sociation team against Wellington. Since going to Dunedin he captained the Albion senior team, and, in addition to his valuable work as wicket-keeper and captain, he was more than useful with the bat. In 1937 he headed the club averages with an average score of over 50 runs. Recently he was one of the three coaches appointed by the Otago Cricket Association to the primary schools and his team, in a match against the combined teams of the other coaches, scored over 200 runs. Mr Everson also captained a Metropolitan side which toured North Otago. In addition, he has been prominent in table tennis. In 1937 he reached the semi-final of the South Island championships, and only a year ago he held Russell Algie, the present New Zealand champion, to 26-24. The pressure of studies, which was always a difficult handicap, has kept him from serious competition in recent seasons. Mr Everson has also played hockey and soccer, and will be a valuable acquisition to Mataura sport. He should prove to be a very strong candidate for the position of wicket-keeper in the Southland team.