Farewell to respected cricket ace

ONE of Wales’ favourite sporting sons has been given a fitting send-off.

A veritable Who’s Who of Welsh cricket, along with stars from other sporting arenas, such as Jonathan Davies and Alan Curtis, joined family and friends for a thanksgiving service for Don Shepherd yesterday.

The Glamorgan cricket legend passed away last month, aged 90.

Canon Keith Evans, who officiated at the service attended by more than 500 people, said: “Don was one of life’s true gentlemen; despite being a giant of the sporting world he was always very grounded and modest. Your presence here, in such large numbers, is probably the greatest tribute that can be paid to Don and reflects the respect in which he was held in this life.”

Mr Shepherd remains the leading wicket-taker in Glamorgan’s history, having claimed 2,174 victims in a 22-year career with the Welsh county.

A tribute from his widow, Joan, and their four children and six grandchildren told of how he was “fiercely proud to be a Welshman”.

His family said: “He had time and a smile on his face for everyone. He loved people and would spend time chatting to everyone. He used to say, ‘a smile costs nothing.’ He was such a lovely man. We are the lucky ones to have had him. What a privilege it was. He was our hero.”

At the service, in All Saints Church, Oystermouth, Edward Bevan, a former commentator colleague of Mr Shepherd, recalled the time Graham Gooch, who was then one of the leading batsmen in the world, invited Mr Shepherd, then in his sixties, to bowl at him in the nets.

Mr Bevan added: “He bowled him out twice.”

Referring to one of the greatest enigmas in cricket – why Mr Shepherd never played for England – he said: “When asked, he always had the same reply – ‘It didn’t bother me. I never read the papers and I only wanted to play for Glamorgan.’”

Ossie Wheatley, a former Glamorgan captain and colleague, said: “He was one of the greats of Welsh sport. Don was incredibly well-known. He played at a time when the BBC televised every game Glamorgan played; he would have been a familiar face in everyone’s front room across the country.”

He added: “He was a terrific chap off the field and had a great sense of humour. It was just a privilege to play with him. He gave so much to cricket and Wales.”

Unfortunately the current Glamorgan side couldn’t attend as the club were preparing for their T20 Blast Final in Edgbaston.

A message from head coach Robert Croft said: “Don inspired and supported us over many years. He cared about us on and off the field.

“We are deeply saddened by his passing and equally sad that we are unable to be with you today due to the T20 final in Birmingham. I feel Don will be watching over us tomorrow and forever.”