England cricket icon Derek Underwood has died at the age of 78, his former club Kent have announced.
Underwood was a staunch one-club man, spending his entire career with Kent after making his first-team debut in 1963 at the age of 17. He went on to become the youngest bowler to take 100 wickets in his debut season, before being named the Cricket Writers’ Club Young Cricketer of the Year in 1966.
Underwood went on to make more than 900 appearances for Kent in a career that lasted 24 years, taking an astonishing 2,523 wickets. His prowess as a bowler earned him the nickname 'Deadly', with Underwood being the leading bowler in England in four seperate years.
Playing as a left-arm spinner, Underwood famously took a stunning 157 wickets in 1966 alone. His performances for Kent earned him a call-up to the England national team in 1966, making his debut at Trent Bridge against the West Indies.
He went on to make 86 Test appearances for his country, taking 297 wickets. Arguably his most famous moment in an England jersey came in the final six minutes of The Ashes test at Oval against Australia in 1968, taking his fourth wicket in 27 balls to clinch a 226-run win which squared the series.
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That came after a lunchtime cloudburst flooded the ground meant that all but 75 minutes of the last four hours were played. His performances across that year saw him named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year for 1969.
He was awarded an MBE for services to cricket in 1981, before retiring in 1987 after winning three County Championships, two One-Day Cups, three National Leagues and three Benson & Hedges Cups for Kent. Underwood remained active in the game, serving as Kent's club president in 2006 and as the president of the Marylebone Cricket Club in 2008.
Underwood earned a reputation for being one of the best bowlers of his generation (Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)In a statement, Kent said: "Kent Cricket is in mourning following the death of one of the icons of the Club, Derek Underwood, at the age of 78. The thoughts of everyone at Kent Cricket are with Derek’s friends and family at this sad time."
Kent chairman Simon Philip added : “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 forevermore.
“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.
"An advocate for growing our game worldwide whilst protecting our sport’s rich heritage, Derek also made substantial contributions off the field as well as on it, and he will be sorely missed by everyone at Kent Cricket.”
Fans were also left devastated, with tributes pouring in. One said: "Rest in peace Legend. One of the VERY best." Another added: "R.I.P Derek Underwood. One of the greatest. Thoughts are with his family and friends."
A third tweeted: "RIP Deadly. An absolute legend. Sad day for cricket." A fourth said: "Very sad news indeed. Watched him many a summers day for England in the 70s. Part of my growing up gone." A fifth concluded: "Such a sad day for many who were lucky to have seen him play in a great Kent side. A legend, and a lovely man off the pitch too. RIP."
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