Lives in Cricket No 10 - John Shepherd

over the years. Writing in 1970, 48 Tony Cozier wrote of West Indies Test cricket: ‘How can four separate independent nations and a number of semi-independent associated states play together as a team? The cynics may answer that they seldom do, but the fact remains that a group of 11 separate political entities combine … to form the West Indies.’ Nevertheless whilst other Test nations, in theory at least, made selections solely on merit in the West Indies a measure of inter-island balance was always consciously or unconsciously sought – and this may have affected Shepherd’s chances for the Australian tour, and later. As the West Indies were beginning the Test series in December 1968 John Shepherd was back home in Bridgetown preparing for his marriage to Terry Ford on the 14th of that month. He was also preparing to play, for the first time, for Barbados in the Shell Shield inter-island competition which was to take place in January and February 1969. This tournament was important to Shepherd both because of the honour attached to representing his country in a competitive domestic event for the first time and also because he felt that a good performance would put him firmly in the running for selection for the West Indian tour to England in the summer of 1969. He played in all four of Barbados’ matches, scoring 186 runs, average 26.57, and taking seven wickets at 28.85 – modest performances with the main highlight being a knock of 73 against the eventual title winners Jamaica at the Kensington Oval. Whilst the Shell Shield was under way, the West Indies tour of Australia was drawing to a close with the home side achieving a convincing 3-1 series win and, despite losing the First Test, eventually outclassing their opponents. It had not been a happy tour, with Sobers reported as being rather a detached leader, although batting at times quite brilliantly, and being out-thought by the dour but effective Australian captain Bill Lawry. Sobers’ decision to ask Australia to bat first in the final Test backfired comprehensively as the Aussies piled up 619 in their first innings to set up a comfortable win. A drawn series with New Zealand was to follow and it was a tired and dispirited party, and an exhausted captain, that returned to the Caribbean at the end of March. The dilemma for the selectors was to decide how many of their number should be retained for the England tour which was due to start in a month’s time. In the event they decided that it was time for a change and Nurse, Hall, Griffith, Holford, and Kanhai (who was injured) were not selected and a number of young players were able to get their first chance in the West Indies side – including John Shepherd. Shepherd’s selection was clearly based on the theory that his success so far in the English domestic game, and his familiarity with English conditions, would be an advantage to the West Indies squad – both on the pitch and in the dressing room. Garry Sobers rated Shepherd highly as a bowler on English wickets and had supported his selection. It may also be that Sobers had heard a rumour that Shepherd had been asked whether he might be Testing Times 43 48 Article in The Cricketer , September 1970.