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Underwood, who took 297 wickets in 86 Tests between 1966 and 1982, played his entire first-class career at Kent, for whom he made his first-team debut aged 17, and made more than 900 appearances over three decades. , from 1963-1987, took 2,523 wickets at an average of just 19.04.
Nicknamed “Deadly” by his teammates, Underwood’s light whippy left-arm action was noted for its accuracy and came at the batter with the pace and snap of a seam bowler.
He was most lethal on rain-affected wickets in the final Test of the 1968 Ashes at The Oval, when – after a concerted effort by the crowd to force the outfield to play – Underwood took four wickets in 27 balls to defeat. Australia tied the series with six minutes left in the match.
Underwood is the sixth-highest wicket-taker in England’s history and ahead of leading spin bowler, Graeme Swann (255). In ODI cricket, he made 26 appearances between 1973 and 1982, including a pair in the inaugural World Cup in 1975, taking 32 wickets at 22.93.
According to the previous ICC Men’s Test Bowler Rankings, Underwood was ranked as the No.1 bowler in the world from September 1969 to August 1973. His most astonishing figures came in 1973 at Hastings when he took 8 for 9 to beat Sussex on another rain-affected pitch, with the crowd once again assisting the fire brigade in mopping up flood water from the pitch.
Underwood’s adaptability is reflected in his record in both India and Australia, where he has been able to reduce his pace to maximize his impact. He would have surpassed Fred Trueman’s then-England record of 307 wickets had he not made two significant career choices in the background – first he accepted Kerry Packer’s invitation to join World Series Cricket in 1977, and then in 1981-82, he joined the first rebel tour of South Africa. The decision led to a three-year ban from international matches and the effective end of his career.
Having won three County Championships, two ODI Cups, three National Leagues and three Benson & Hedges Cups as a Kent cricketer, Underwood retired from the game in 1987, during which he was awarded two profitable seasons in 1975 and 1986 respectively. He was awarded an MBE for services to cricket in the 1981 New Year’s Honors List.
In 2008, Underwood was named President of Marylebone Cricket Club after serving as Kent Cricket Club President in 2006 and was inducted into the ICC’s Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009.
In 2011, the Annex Stand at Kent’s home ground in Canterbury was renamed the ‘Underwood and Knott Stand’ to mark the legendary partnership he formed with England and Kent wicketkeeper Alan Knott, another great of his era.
Chair of Kent Cricket, Simon Phillip said: “The Kent Cricket family is in mourning after the passing of one of its greatest players. Seeing Derek perform 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 respect in which he was held in world cricket.
“An advocate for growing our game worldwide while protecting the rich heritage of our sport, Derek has made significant contributions both on and off the field and he will be sorely missed by everyone at Kent Cricket.”
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