Derek Underwood: The iconic cricket player has passed away aged 78

The world of cricket received some very sad news on Monday 15 April. Derek Underwood’s former club Kent confirmed that the sports star has passed away. This has left fans devastated as Underwood created quite the name for himself during his time in the game.

This news comes not long after the death of controversial NFL player O.J. Simpson. As the news of Underwood's death at age 78 circulates, let’s take a look back at his career and see what people have said about the cricket legend.

‘Deadly’ Derek Underwood

Derek Underwood was affectionately nicknamed ‘Deadly’ after his years as a cricketer showed just how skillful - and ruthless - the spinner was. He was born on 8 June 1945 in Bromley and his talent in the sport became clear at a young age. He was just 17 when he played for Kent’s first team in a match against Yorkshire. In that 1963 game, he walked away with an impressive 4-40 innings.

From that moment on, Underwood proved himself time and time again. He played for Kent for the entirety of his 24-year first-class career, making over 900 appearances. He also starred in England’s team, and became the most prolific spinner ever to represent the country. He claimed 297 wickets at an average of 25.8 from 86 Tests between 1966 and 1982, meaning he sat at sixth place in the country’s all-time charts. However, he even managed to improve on that statistic: the retrospective International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings show he was the number 1 Test bowler in the world from 1969 to 1973.

Tributes to Underwood

Underwood took a step back from public life when he was diagnosed with dementia. The iconic player’s death was announced by Kent on Monday afternoon, and tributes immediately flooded in. Simon Philip, Chair of Kent Cricket, called him one of Kent’s ‘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.

Kent head coach Matt Walker described him as a ‘fantastic’ player, and added:

He was extremely supportive, always available but never preached, and never told you how to do it. He was always just a really kind man who was always quick with a story. He was really supportive of a lot of young players, not just me, in the early parts of their careers.

Underwood was awarded an MBE for services to cricket in 1981. Later, he became president of Kent in 2006 and of Marylebone Cricket Club in 2009. He will always be remembered as an incredible player with a real sense of sportsmanship. He is survived by his wife, Dawn, and two daughters.

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Sources used:

The Guardian: Derek Underwood, England’s greatest spin bowler, dies aged 78

Express: Derek Underwood dead: England cricket legend and Kent spinner dies aged 78

Kent Online: Tributes paid to legendary Kent and England spinner Derek Underwood after his death, aged 78