Derek Underwood: England's Deadly Left-Arm Spinner on Wet Wickets
Derek Underwood took 297 Test wickets at 25.83 for England — primarily with his unique medium-pace left-arm spin on wet or drying pitches where he was considered almost unplayable.
Derek Underwood — nicknamed 'Deadly Derek' — was one of England's most effective bowling weapons of the 1960s and 1970s, taking 297 Test wickets in 86 Tests at 25.83. Underwood was a unique bowler — technically a left-arm spinner, he bowled at medium pace with his spin, making him much harder to attack than a conventional slow left-armer and more dangerous than a conventional medium-pacer. On wet or drying pitches (common in England before pitches were fully covered), Underwood was considered virtually unplayable — the combination of pace, turn and awkward bounce from a sticky wicket making him impossible to score from.
The Sticky Wicket Specialist
Underwood's most celebrated performances came on rain-affected pitches where the ball gripped and turned at unusual pace. His most famous wickets included taking 7/50 to dismiss Australia's tail at The Oval in 1968 — allowing England to level the series — with the pitch drying under floodlights as the match entered its final session. On flat, dry pitches Underwood was still effective but less dominant, and this limitation meant his overall Test record, while excellent, slightly understated his effectiveness in his optimal conditions.
World Series Cricket
Like Greig, Knott and several others, Underwood joined Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket in 1977, which ended his official Test career temporarily. He returned after WSC was integrated with official cricket and played further Tests. His total of 297 Test wickets would almost certainly have reached 300 had he not lost several years to WSC. He has remained a respected figure in English cricket as a coach and administrator.
Frequently asked questions
How many Test wickets did Derek Underwood take?
Underwood took 297 wickets in 86 Tests at an average of 25.83. His total is one of England's finest bowling hauls and would have exceeded 300 had he not lost Tests to World Series Cricket.
Why was Derek Underwood called Deadly Derek?
Underwood earned the nickname 'Deadly Derek' for his ability to take wickets in almost any condition — but especially on wet or drying pitches where his medium-pace spin was considered virtually unplayable. On a sticky wicket he was among the most feared bowlers in cricket history.
What was unique about Derek Underwood's bowling?
Underwood was technically a left-arm spinner but bowled at medium pace — much faster than conventional slow left-arm spinners. This combination made him harder to attack than a conventional spinner (too fast to come down the pitch) and harder to defend against than a conventional medium-pacer (the spin and unusual angle).