Former England cricketer Derek Underwood has died aged 78.
He remains the country’s most prolific spin bowler ever, claiming a career haul of 297 wickets in 86 Test appearances from 1966 to 1982.
Underwood, with his brisk left-arm spin, is also sixth in England’s all-time list of leading wicket takers.
His record tally would have been even higher had it not been for his decision to play in Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket and the first rebel tour of South Africa.
But he is still 42 wickets ahead of his nearest rival among spinners, Graeme Swann.
Underwood spent his whole county career with Kent and took 2,523 wickets across three decades.
“The Kent Cricket family is in mourning following the passing of one of its greatest-ever players,” the county’s chair Simon Philip said.
“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.”
He also said his induction into the ICC Hall of Fame “shows the esteem in which he was held in world cricket”, adding: “He will be sorely missed by everyone at Kent Cricket.”
During his Test career, he claimed 17 five-wicket hauls and six 10-wicket hauls.
Among his highlights, Underwood played a starring role in a classic Ashes finish at the Oval in 1968.
With rain threatening to preserve Australia’s 2-1 series lead, members of the crowd helped with the mopping up work to allow Colin Cowdrey’s side little more than half an hour to take the six wickets they needed for victory.
All eyes were on Underwood, who took four wickets for six runs in 27 balls, wrapping things up with barely five minutes to spare and finishing with seven for 50.
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