RUPERT Evans has stood down as Oxfordshire Cricket Board’s head of cricket to concentrate on coaching.

The 60-year-old former Oxfordshire captain, who held the administrative role for four seasons, made the decision to quit last week.

“It comes down to the fact that I want to do more coaching,” he said.

“I’m still passionate about Oxfordshire cricket and that won’t change. I’d like to stay involved in some capacity.

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“I feel I’ve left a very good legacy, helping youngsters go on to bigger and better things.”

As an off-spinner, Evans took 447 Minor Counties wickets in a long and distinguished career, before being appointed by the England and Wales Cricket Board as Oxfordshire’s first Cricket Development Officer in 1996, a job he held until 2011, when he took on his full-time role for the county.

A statement from the OCB said: “Rupert has achieved fantastic success as a coach, drawing on his enthusiastic and charismatic nature, along with his technical skills and vast experience as a player.

“More recently he has been involved in setting up the partnership with Sussex Cricket.

“We are sure Rupert will stay within cricket in the county and hope that this will not be the last we see of him.

“The board will have to determine quickly the best way to fill the gap left.”

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