Lives in Cricket No 10 - John Shepherd

1967 The Kent playing squad was gradually evolving into a formidable and balanced outfit – stalwarts of the past like Peter Richardson and Dave Halfyard had gone and they would be joined by Bob Wilson and John Prodger over the next couple of years. Their replacements were mainly products of the Second Eleven, like Alan Ealham and Bob Woolmer, and – for the first time in 1967 – John Shepherd. The county, under Les Ames’ shrewd management and Colin Cowdrey’s captaincy, was steadily improving year on year with County Championship finishes of fifth in 1965 and fourth in 1966. Expectations for 1967 were high. After two successful seasons in the seconds, Shepherd’s arrival in the first team was eagerly awaited – he had formally joined the playing staff at the end of his first year and now there was every expectation that he would cement a place in the first-choice eleven. Shepherd himself had no doubts and fully expected to make himself a fixture in the side – something which indeed he went on to achieve. However there was an initial disappointment when Kent went to Jersey in April for a pre-season short tour and Shepherd was not in the party – it was clear that his place in the First Eleven was perhaps not quite as assured as he assumed. In recognition of his arrival as a player now Kentish Apprentice 31 International Cavaliers taking the field at the start of their match with Kent at Canterbury on 29 May 1966. The players include, from left to right, Nawab of Pataudi, Godfrey Evans, Younis Ahmed, Keith Boyce and John Shepherd.