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"The Kent and West Indies all-rounder was a sensation in his two seasons with the Bulldogs in 1976/77 and 1977/78. Shepherd's efforts resulted in a runaway Ryder Medal win in his first season, scoring 36 votes to win by 14 from Tony Steele (Waverley) and Richie Robinson (Northcote). He also won the Age/Puma and Sunday Press/CP Air awards that season as well. Shepherd returned to skipper the Bulldogs the following season, again polling 36 votes in the 1977/78 Ryder Medal, but finishing equal third with John Scholes behind Keith Stackpole (38) and Mick Taylor (37).
Shepherd played 5 Tests for the West Indies between 1969 and 1971 before finding a niche for himself playing for Kent (1965-1980) and later Gloucestershire (1981-1987) in England. He was named one of Wisden's five Cricketers of the Year in 1979. In a first class career from 1964/65 to 1987, Shepherd scored 13359 runs @ 26.34 with 10 centuries and 72 half-centuries, and took 1157 wickets @ 27.71."
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