Derek Underwood, the legendary English spin bowler, passed away at the age of 78. Known as “Deadly” for his lethal left-arm action, Underwood claimed 297 wickets in 86 Tests between 1966 and 1982.
Underwood’s career began at Kent, where he made his first-class debut at 17. Over three decades, he played over 900 matches for the county, taking 2,523 wickets at an astonishing average of 19.04. His accuracy and pace made him a formidable opponent, especially on rain-affected wickets.
In the 1968 Ashes, Underwood’s brilliance was on full display. In the final Test at The Oval, he claimed four wickets in 27 balls to defeat Australia and square the series. His most remarkable performance came in 1973 at Hastings, where he took 8 for 9 to rout Sussex on a rain-soaked pitch.
Underwood’s adaptability extended to India and Australia, where he adjusted his pace to maximize his impact. He was ranked as the world’s No.1 bowler from 1969 to 1973. However, his career was marred by two controversial decisions.
In 1977, he joined World Series Cricket, and in 1981-82, he participated in the rebel tour of South Africa. These actions led to a three-year ban from internationals, effectively ending his career.
Despite these setbacks, Underwood’s legacy remains intact. He won three County Championships, two One-Day Cups, and three Benson & Hedges Cups with Kent. He was awarded an MBE in 1981 and inducted into the ICC’s Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009.
In 2011, the Annexe Stand at Kent’s home ground was renamed the ‘Underwood & Knott Stand’ in honor of his legendary partnership with wicketkeeper Allan Knott.
