Former England and Kent cricketer Derek Underwood has died aged 78.
He remains the country’s most successful spin bowler, taking 297 wickets in 86 Test matches from 1966 to 1982.
With his brisk left-arm spin, Underwood ranks sixth on the list of England’s all-time leading wicket-takers.
He played for his native Kent for 24 years before retiring in 1987, taking 100 or more wickets in 10 seasons.
Underwood, 1966. Image source: PA
He spent his entire county career there and took 2,523 scalps over thirty years, winning 3 County Championships, 2 One-Day Cups, 3 National Leagues and 3 Benson & Hedges cup.
“Kent cricket County chairman Simon Philip said: “The whole family is mourning the passing of one of the greatest players of all time.”
“Derek was an outstanding contributor for Kent and England, winning trophies for club and country and etching his name forever in the history books.”
“We will miss him terribly”
The chairman also said his induction into the International Cricket Council Hall of Fame “shows the respect he was held in world cricket”, adding: “He will be greatly missed by everyone at Kent Cricket.”
Underwood made his Test debut for his country at the age of 21 in July 1966 against the West Indies at Trent Bridge and his final international appearance in February 1982 against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
In his Test career, he took 17 5-wicket hauls and 6 10-wicket hauls.
He also made 26 appearances in one-day internationals, taking 32 wickets.
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Image: PA
Among his Test highlights, Underwood played a starring role in the 1968 Ashes classic against Australia at The Oval.
In rainy conditions in London, the crowd helped with the clean-up effort, giving the home side just over half an hour to take the six wickets needed for victory.
All eyes were on Underwood, who took 4 wickets and scored 6 runs in 27 balls to finish with 50 for 7 with less than 5 minutes remaining. England won the match by 226 runs.
Underwood with Queen Elizabeth II in the House of Lords in 2009. Image: PA
His career-record wicket total of 297 would have been higher had it not been for his decision to play in Kerry Parker’s World Series and first rebel tour of South Africa.
But he is still 42 wickets ahead of his nearest rival among spinners, Graeme Swann.
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Following his retirement, Underwood was appointed Chairman of the MCC in 2008 after serving as Chairman of Kent Cricket Club in 2006 and was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009.
In 2011, the annexed stand at Canterbury’s home ground in Kent was renamed the Underwood and Knott Stand in recognition of his and former club and international teammate Alan Knott’s contribution to the county.
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