An Interview With Derek Underwood
National Club Golfer: How did you develop your unique bowling style and why do you think it proved to be so successful?
Derek Underwood: I started out as a fast bowler and at the age of 14 realised I wasn’t very fast when it came to men’s cricket and adapted to becoming a spinner. I was a slightly quicker spin bowler than most and I tended to cut the ball rather than spin it, and when it turns quickly at pace you are a more dangerous bowler.
NCG: What do you consider your best performance to have been?
DU: I’m best known for when I took 7 for 50 against Australia at the Oval in 1968. I took four wickets in 27 balls to help square the series and retain the Ashes. But one of my most favourite moments was when I scored my only century in first class cricket (111, Kent v Sussex in 1984). That was pretty special for me as well.
NCG: You were also part of Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket, which was controversial at the time
DU: Certainly, it was a cricket revolution. It was a TV battle between Packer and Channel 9 in Sydney because he wasn’t allowed to stage Test Cricket on his channel.
So he decided to do it on his own terms and for two seasons he bought some of the world’s best cricketers.
NCG: Do you see any similarities between that and the IPL and Twenty20 cricket?
DU: What I’ve seen in recent times have been a lot of mad cricket, coloured clothing and a lot of different ideas come through that were original founded by World Series Cricket.
At the moment cricket is going through a revolution as a result of the success of Twenty20 and we need to capitalise on it completely.
NCG: You’ve just taken over as president of the MCC for the next 12 months. How much of an honour is that?
DU: Awesome, it’s a terrific honour, which I’m very grateful for. I’m overwhelmed to be asked to be President of the MCC, by Mike Brearley of all people, which adds a great deal to it.
NCG: What during the year are you most looking forward to?
DU: I think it will probably be the Ashes test match at Lords against Australia. But we also have a Twenty20 World Cup taking place, and a lot of those games will be staged at Lords. It will be a very exciting year for cricket and one hopes it will be a fantastic season
NCG: With all the engagements and responsibilities that come with being president, how will you have enough time for your golf and Chart Hills?
DU: I shall try and squeeze some golf in. Within the MCC there’s quite a substantial golf society, which is a lot of fun golf where we play some really nice courses.
NCG: How did you get started and who is the best golfing cricketer you played with?
DU: When I started I was pretty awful, as you can imagine. So when I retired I was determined to improve and I now have a handicap of 18. I’ve played with people like Ian Botham and Sir Gary Sobers, who were single-figure players. But Ted Dexter was probably the greatest I played with. He was very prolific in competitions from what I remember.
NCG: To top off an even busier year, you’ve just taken over as president of Chart Hills. What does that involve?
DU: Yes, I might be a little bit restricted in what I can do this year but next year I will certainly take up the mantle a bit stronger. Chart Hills really is a lovely set-up, the course is in supreme condition all-year-round and it’s a good test of golf. I’m absolutely delighted that I’m able to play there. I already know a lot of people there as I’ve played golf in Kent for quite a number of years, so it’s a home from home.
FACTFILE
Name: Derek Underwood
DOB: June 8th 1945
POB: Bromley, Kent
Played for: England and Kent
Test Match Bowling average:
86 matches, 151 innings, 297 wickets at an average of 25.83
• To learn more about Chart Hills, in Kent, visit
www.charthills.co.uk or call 01850 292 222