If anyone deserves to achieve their goals in their chosen sport then it’s Max Shepherd.

The 14-year-old is a very talented cricketer, talented enough to be part of the Gloucestershire junior set-up for the past four years.

But Max’s story is not just a story about cricket.

The Cotswold School pupil has had to show incredible fortitude after losing his mum Sarah Davies in tragic circumstances a couple of years ago.

His dad Greg said: “Yes, he’s mentally strong, he’s had to be. He was playing in a county cricket festival in Taunton when the tragedy happened. He came back for a couple of days but then asked to go back to Taunton. It was a very emotional time but he is very resilient. Cricket has certainly helped him deal with the tragedy.”

Max was always going to play cricket – his dad is a keen player – but it’s fair to say that no one expected him to be quite as good a left-arm spinner as he’s turned out to be.

“He’s not too bad,” joked Greg, who like his son plays for Bourton Vale. “He’s been in the county set-up since the under-10s and absolutely loves it.

“For the past two years he’s been part of the county’s Emerging Players Programme as well so it’s pretty full-on.”

As the name suggests, the EPP is another step up the ladder and Max has come under the watchful eye of former Gloucestershire batsman Tim Hancock as well as the county’s current left-arm spinner Tom Smith.

It’s a big commitment, of course. Max has two-hour indoor nets every Sunday from January to March – there are trials at the end of the summer season to determine who will be invited to take part – and the Emerging Players Programme involves six two-hour sessions… and that’s before the summer season gets under way.

“It’s a good opportunity and he’d love to go all the way,” Greg said. “He’s a good bowler. He bowls a very consistent line and length and doesn’t get flustered if batsmen attack him. He’s not afraid to toss the ball up.

“He can bat as well. He used to open the batting but now bats lower down the order. He’s also a very good fielder. He can field anywhere but he particularly likes fielding close to the bat.”

This season he has broken through into Bourton’s 1st XI and took four wickets on his debut in a West of England Gloucestershire Division game.

Club chairman Kevin Langley was very impressed and said: “He’s going to be a special player. He spins it both ways and batsmen don’t know what to do with him.”

Max’s promotion to Bourton’s flagship team means that he is no longer playing alongside his 39-year-old dad for the 2nd XI.

Greg is an opening batsman these days but used to be a left-arm spinner until he got the yips “six or seven years ago”.

“I’m thrilled for him,” said Greg, 39. “He’s worked very hard and he deserves it. He’s certainly not out of his depth.”

Max’s county cricket commitments take him all over the south west with matches against Cornwall and Devon and south and east with games against the likes of Dorset, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire.

He is never short of support either as his grandparents Brent and Sandra Shepherd, who like Max live in Bourton, are regulars at his games.

When he’s not playing cricket Max is a more than capable of hockey player and he plays alongside his dad for Bourton and Sherborne.

“He likes to play striker,” said dad. “We play 4-4-2 and all I do is try to keep up with him!”

But it’s cricket that is Max’s foremost sport and his under-14 county coach Luke Sellers is delighted with the progress he is making.

“Within the county set-up we’ve been aware of his high potential for a number of years,” Luke said.

“He’s continuing to improve and is taking wickets at county age group level.

“Now that he’s broken into the 1st XI at Bourton that should only accelerate his progress.

“But it’s not just his cricket. He’s a smashing lad and is great to have around the county set-up. He’s very popular and is always smiling and cracking jokes.

“We’re delighted that he’s part of our group.”