Those attending Glamorgan’s Vitality County Championship match against Sussex this coming week (10th to 13th May) at Sophia Gardens will have the opportunity view a new display in the Museum of Welsh Cricket celebrating the career of the legendary Glamorgan bowler Don Shepherd.
Over the winter months, Don’s family have kindly donated to the Museum a number of items relating to his magnificent career and these are now on display in the Museum, together with a short film, showing highlights of his career and many of the milestones he achieved.
During his time playing for the Welsh county from 1950 until 1972 Don faced Sussex on many occasions. However, perhaps one game stands out as “special”. In August 1956 the newspapers described Don as “A Wonder Find at 29!” after he had taken 8/46 off 27 overs against Sussex at Cardiff Arms Park. It was Don’s first season bowling off-cutters after five years of pace. The transformation was nothing short of sensational with the Glamorgan bowler crowned as the leading wicket taker in the country with 168 county wickets at 14 runs per wicket.
Don reached the figure of 168 in Glamorgan’s final match of the season away to Sussex. His haul that day including some well-known Sussex players including Jim Parks, Les Lenham, Alan Oakman, Ken Suttle and Hubert Doggart. After winning the toss Doggart had elected to bat on a “drying pitch”. It was a decision referred to as “bold” by the Western Mail and it proved to be a torrid day for the batters. However, rain then intervened to wash out the remainder of the match. The weather also denied Shep the opportunity to improve his figures in pursuit of the county record of 176 wickets in a season taken by J C Clay in 1937. Nevertheless, the 1956 season had established Don as one of the most respected and feared bowlers on the county circuit.
The display celebrates Don Shepherd’s career during which he took over 2000 first-class wickets. The Museum of Welsh Cricket is on the first floor of the National Cricket Centre and can be visited during the lunch and tea interval of the forthcoming match with Sussex.