Probably the best spin bowler ever to play for England, certainly in the post Second World War era, Derek Underwood, has died. 297 Test wickets is a great tally for a spin bowler, and they were taken in varying conditions all around the world. It seemed to be his accuracy over line and length, which pinned batsmen down, rather than the spin he could generate, which marked him out, though his varying pace of delivery, all faster than more conventional spinners, was his main weapon. He was the youngest player to take 100 wickets in a debut season and overall took 2,465 wickets at an average of 20.28.

Later in his career he blotted his copybook by taking part in a rebel tour to South Africa, then under sporting sanctions due to its apartheid regime. As a result he never played for England again.

Derek Leslie Underwood: 8/6/1945  – 5/4/2024. So it goes.