The world of cricket is in a state of mourning after the passing of the long-lasting Derek Underwood, who has died at 78.

The unhappy news was confirmed by his former membership Kent by way of a press release on Monday.

Underwood, a real Kentish stalwart, was born on 8 June 1945 in Bromley. His cricketing prowess was evident from an early age, and he made his mark for Kent's first workforce at simply 17 years previous in 1963 towards Yorkshire, the place he took a formidable 4-40 in his maiden first-class innings.

His debut season quick turned the stuff of legend, as he turned the youngest participant to take 100 wickets.

In recognition of his stellar debut season, Underwood was honoured with Kent Men's Cap quantity 141 in 1964 and was additional celebrated because the Cricket Writers' Club Young Cricketer of the Year in 1966.

Over his illustrious profession spanning three many years from 1963 to 1987, Underwood donned the Kent jersey over 900 occasions, claiming 2,523 wickets at a median of 19.04, a testomony to his ability and consistency.

By the age of 25, Underwood had already secured his 1,000th first-class wicket and achieved the outstanding feat of taking 100 wickets in a season on ten events, with a standout efficiency of 157 wickets in 1966. He was recognised as England's main bowler in a number of seasons, together with 1966, 1967, 1978, and 1979.

Wisden aptly described him as "Deadly" a nickname his Kent colleagues gave him for the sheer chaos he wreaked on damp pitches. His precision and stunning tempo for a left-arm spinner meant that when circumstances have been in his favour, a deluge of wickets for Kent was nearly a certainty.

Underwood's ability was instrumental in one among England's most dramatic Test victories. In the Oval Ashes Test of 1968 towards Australia, he took his fourth wicket in 27 balls with simply six minutes remaining.

This clinched a 226-run win, levelling the collection, regardless of a lunchtime downpour that had consumed all however 75 minutes of the ultimate 4 hours. Following his distinctive performances within the Test area that yr, he was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year for 1969.

According to retrospective ICC Men's Test Bowler rankings, Underwood held the world Number One spot from September 1969 to August 1973.

Underwood retired from cricket in 1987, abandoning a legacy of three County Championships, two One-Day Cups, three National Leagues and three Benson & Hedges Cups as a Kent cricketer.

In 2008, he was named President of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), following his tenure as Kent Cricket's Club President in 2006. The ICC's Cricket Hall of Fame welcomed him as an inductee in 2009.

The Annexe Stand at The Spitfire Ground St Lawrence was renamed the 'Underwood & Knott Stand' in 2011, honouring his contributions to the county and his profitable partnership with fellow Kent and England icon, Alan Knott.

Simon Philip, Chair of Kent Cricket, expressed his sorrow: "The Kent Cricket family is in mourning following the passing of one of its greatest ever players.

"Derek was an excellent contributor to each Kent and England, successful trophies for membership and nation and etching his identify within the historical past books ceaselessly extra.

"Watching Derek weave his unique magic on a wet wicket was a privilege for all who were able to witness it. His induction into the ICC Hall of Fame shows the esteem in which he was held in world cricket."