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Falling just short of a century failed to take the gloss of Joey Evison’s dream return to Trent Bridge on Saturday.
The all-rounder hit 97 and took two wickets as Kent Spitfires beat Lancashire by 21 runs in the Royal London One-Day Cup final.
Evison deserved a century for a well-paced innings at the top of the order but was bowled by Danny Lamb.
“If you had suggested to me at the start of the day that I was going to get 97, take two wickets and a catch, I would have bitten your hand off,” admitted a beaming Evison. “I couldn’t ask for more.
“It was disappointing not to get the hundred. I think what cost my wicket was lack of concentration really after there was a review the ball before I got out.
“It was a pretty good slower ball. I had a couple (of chances) go my way and it was just good to use that luck.
“It’s been a very good day, we’ve come such a long way as a team. Thank you to every Kent fan who came out to support us, it’s been really good.”
Man-of-the-match Evison lost opener partner Ben Compton before he had faced a ball but he was able to take his time as Ollie Robinson became the aggressor in an impressive second-wicket partnership.
“Losing Ben Compton early doors wasn’t ideal but Ollie Robinson really took the pressure off me,” explained Evison.
“It was a shame to see him get out the way he did but Joe Denly showed his class and it was an honour to bat with him on an occasion like this at Trent Bridge.
“Trent Bridge is always a nice wicket to bat on. It was hard early doors but once you got in, you could find the boundary whenever you wanted to.
“It was a bit sticky, especially during the middle of the innings, but I thought Tom Bailey bowled really well up top to get that first wicket and was economical.”
On his bowling, Evison added: “I live for those moments, try and absorb pressure as much as you can, and it was nice to take the final wickets.”
Evison is still on loan from Nottinghamshire and joins Kent on a three-year deal at the end of the season.
He’s already made a big impression on his new club, and can’t wait for more success in the years ahead.
“I’m glad that I’ve made a good first impression,” he added. “I’m still technically on loan so to win a trophy in my first month or so of being here, I couldn’t ask for any more.
“It’s going to be three exciting years, that’s for sure.”
