Derek Underwood, hailed as one of Englands finest spin bowlers, passed away at the age of 78, leaving behind a remarkable cricketing legacy. Renowned for his lethal left-arm spin, Underwood etched his name in cricket history with his remarkable performances for England and Kent.Underwoods cricketing journey began at Kent, where he made his first-team debut at just 17 years old. He remained loyal to Kent throughout his illustrious career, making over 900 appearances from 1963 to 1987 and claiming an impressive 2,523 wickets at an average of 19.04.RIP to an England legend and one of our greatest ever Test spinners, Derek Underwood 💔 pic.twitter.com/jcFjxm1U6r— Englands Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) April 15, 2024The deadly spinnerNicknamed Deadly by his teammates, Underwoods left-arm spin was characterized by its accuracy and pace, often proving devastating on rain-affected pitches. His ability to exploit such conditions was exemplified in numerous memorable performances, including his heroic four-wicket haul in the final Test of the 1968 Ashes at The Oval.International successUnderwoods brilliance extended to the international stage, where he represented England in 86 Tests and 26 ODIs. He remains Englands leading spin bowler, with 297 Test wickets to his name, and his impact on the game earned him the prestigious title of the worlds No.1 bowler from September 1969 to August 1973.Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton pay tribute to England and Kent legend Derek Underwood. pic.twitter.com/JggMdNwkMf— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) April 15, 2024Despite his stellar career, Underwood faced challenges, including controversial decisions to join World Series Cricket in 1977 and participate in a rebel tour of South Africa in 1981-82. These choices led to a three-year ban from internationals, but they did not diminish his achievements. He retired in 1987 as a decorated cricketer, having won numerous championships and cups with Kent.Beyond cricket fieldUnderwoods contributions to cricket extended beyond his on-field performances. He served as President of Marylebone Cricket Club and was inducted into the ICCs Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009. His impact was also recognized at Kents home ground, where the Annexe Stand was renamed the Underwood & Knott Stand in honor of his legendary partnership with Allan Knott.
