KENT and England cricket legend, Derek Underwood, has been named the new president of the MCC.
Underwood, who was president of Kent in 2006, will succeed former England captain Mike Brearley when his term of office ends in September.
The former England and Kent spinner, who played 86 Tests and took 297 wickets for his country with his deceptive left arm spinners, is delighted with his appointment.
He said: “I am deeply honoured to have been asked to be president of MCC, which is one of the greatest accolades in cricket.
“I enjoyed a successful playing career with both Kent and England and since my retirement, have remained closely involved with Kent cricket.
“I look forward immensely to my year in office and hopefully contributing to the development of our great game.”
Underwood was the leading spin bowler in England for around 20 years and since retirement from the professional game has worked in cricket administration.
He began his career in sensational fashion when he became the youngest player to take 100 wickets in a debut season.
He would go on to repeat this feat on nine further occasions in his county career.
In a 24-year county career, he took 1,951 wickets for Kent, making him the third most successful bowler in their history.
Introducing his successor, Brearley quoted John Woodcock’s description of Derek Shackleton’s bowling as applying equally to “Deadly” Derek Underwood.
He said: “Long hops and full tosses were not so much few and far between when he was bowling as almost unknown”.
“He was a distinguished cricketer and has since worked hard within cricket administration.
“He is a gentle man, conscientious and considerate, but also tough. It gives me great pleasure to nominate Derek Underwood as president of MCC for 2008/09.”
POSTED: 08/05/2008 13:36:10