Post by davemorton on Apr 15, 2024 15:17:52 GMT
R.I.P. Derek Underwood, Kent and England, and a fine left arm spinner.
I was present for at least one day of his Test debut (aged 21) at Trent Bridge 1966, a memorable game for many reasons. W Indies made 235 on day 1, Seymour Nurse 93, and 4 wickets apiece for Snow and Higgs. Boycott was then out second ball, lbw b Sobers 0.
33 for three overnight, and I remember watching the wonderful partnership of 169 between Graveney and Cowdrey. For glorious batting against surely the greatest attack of all time - high pace, swing, world-class spin - this must have been as good as it could ever get.
I must have watched the rest of the game on TV. I remember Charlie Griffith bowling a vicious bouncer at Underwood, which brought outraged protest from John Arlott. Pre-helmets, of course, and not-yet-called Deadly was number 11.
The Windies powerhouse took over in the second innings, with Basil Butcher getting 200, and Sobers only 90-odd, then Griffith and Gibbs blew us away on day 5. Boycott atoned with a futile 71.
Underwood got double figures, not out, in both innings, but went wicketless. He bowled 43 overs for 86 runs while the Windies were scoring 482 for five.
During his career, and whatever guff that may come out now, Underwood was frequently castigated for bowling too fast and being 'mechanical'. The selectors often preferred Norman Gifford, who was about half as good, on a good day.
Deadly was deadly only when conditions were in his favour. Most English spinners since have not been deadly on anything. To see Underwood and Knott on a raging turner was as good as anything in cricket, and Kent were happily allowed to produce pitches that suited their great bowler and wicket-keeper.
Good to remember Underwood and Illingworth together, too, as an England spin attack that was not equalled until (briefly) we got Panesar and Swann together.
I was present for at least one day of his Test debut (aged 21) at Trent Bridge 1966, a memorable game for many reasons. W Indies made 235 on day 1, Seymour Nurse 93, and 4 wickets apiece for Snow and Higgs. Boycott was then out second ball, lbw b Sobers 0.
33 for three overnight, and I remember watching the wonderful partnership of 169 between Graveney and Cowdrey. For glorious batting against surely the greatest attack of all time - high pace, swing, world-class spin - this must have been as good as it could ever get.
I must have watched the rest of the game on TV. I remember Charlie Griffith bowling a vicious bouncer at Underwood, which brought outraged protest from John Arlott. Pre-helmets, of course, and not-yet-called Deadly was number 11.
The Windies powerhouse took over in the second innings, with Basil Butcher getting 200, and Sobers only 90-odd, then Griffith and Gibbs blew us away on day 5. Boycott atoned with a futile 71.
Underwood got double figures, not out, in both innings, but went wicketless. He bowled 43 overs for 86 runs while the Windies were scoring 482 for five.
During his career, and whatever guff that may come out now, Underwood was frequently castigated for bowling too fast and being 'mechanical'. The selectors often preferred Norman Gifford, who was about half as good, on a good day.
Deadly was deadly only when conditions were in his favour. Most English spinners since have not been deadly on anything. To see Underwood and Knott on a raging turner was as good as anything in cricket, and Kent were happily allowed to produce pitches that suited their great bowler and wicket-keeper.
Good to remember Underwood and Illingworth together, too, as an England spin attack that was not equalled until (briefly) we got Panesar and Swann together.