The world of cricket is in a state of mourning after the passing of the iconic Derek Underwood, who has died at 78.
The sad news was confirmed by his former club Kent via a statement on Monday.
Underwood, a true Kentish stalwart, was born on 8 June 1945 in Bromley. His cricketing prowess was evident from an early age, and he made his mark for Kent’s first team at just 17 years old in 1963 against Yorkshire, where he took an impressive 4-40 in his maiden first-class innings.
His debut season fast became the stuff of legend, as he became the youngest player to take 100 wickets.
In recognition of his stellar debut season, Underwood was honoured with Kent Men’s Cap number 141 in 1964 and was further celebrated as the Cricket Writers’ Club Young Cricketer of the Year in 1966.
Over his illustrious career spanning three decades from 1963 to 1987, Underwood donned the Kent jersey over 900 times, claiming 2,523 wickets at an average of 19.04, a testament to his skill and consistency.
By the age of 25, Underwood had already secured his 1,000th first-class wicket and achieved the remarkable feat of taking 100 wickets in a season on ten occasions, with a standout performance of 157 wickets in 1966. He was recognised as England’s leading bowler in several seasons, including 1966, 1967, 1978, and 1979.
Wisden aptly described him as “Deadly” a nickname his Kent colleagues gave him for the sheer chaos he wreaked on damp pitches. His precision and surprising pace for a left-arm spinner meant that when conditions were in his favour, a deluge of wickets for Kent was almost a certainty.
Underwood’s skill was instrumental in one of England’s most dramatic Test victories. In the Oval Ashes Test of 1968 against Australia, he took his fourth wicket in 27 balls with just six minutes remaining.
This clinched a 226-run win, levelling the series, despite a lunchtime downpour that had consumed all but 75 minutes of the final four hours. Following his exceptional performances in the Test arena that year, he was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year for 1969.
According to retrospective ICC Men’s Test Bowler rankings, Underwood held the world Number One spot from September 1969 to August 1973.
Underwood retired from cricket in 1987, leaving behind a legacy of three County Championships, two One-Day Cups, three National Leagues and three Benson & Hedges Cups as a Kent cricketer.
In 2008, he was named President of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), following his tenure as Kent Cricket’s Club President in 2006. The ICC’s Cricket Hall of Fame welcomed him as an inductee in 2009.
The Annexe Stand at The Spitfire Ground St Lawrence was renamed the ‘Underwood & Knott Stand’ in 2011, honouring his contributions to the county and his successful partnership with fellow Kent and England icon, Alan Knott.
Simon Philip, Chair of Kent Cricket, expressed his sorrow: “The Kent Cricket family is in mourning following the passing of one of its greatest ever players.
“Derek was an outstanding contributor to both Kent and England, winning trophies for club and country and etching his name in the history books forever more.
“Watching Derek weave his unique magic on a wet wicket was a privilege for all who were able to witness it. His induction into the ICC Hall of Fame shows the esteem in which he was held in world cricket.”
