Top 5 orthodox left-arm spinners of all time

#3 Derek Underwood

Underwood's deceptive action and variations in pace turned him into a nightmarish proposition

Owing to his often unplayable style of bowling on surfaces with even the slightest hint of dampness, 'Deadly' became the metaphorical middle-name of Derek Underwood. The exalted spinner's dexterity can be discerned from the manner in which he adapted to the gradual phasing out of uncovered pitches during the late 1960s. Even as the playing field changed significantly, the left-armer's menace remained unperturbed as he continued to scythe through batting lineups akin to a hot knife running through delectable butter.

When Jim Laker's retirement in 1959 left a gaping hole in the spin attack, England did not have to wait for too long as Underwood emerged within seven years to add a new dimension to the bowling unit. While he was classified as slow left-arm orthodox, his lithe run-up and quirky bowling action helped his pace veer into the medium territory. The Kent stalwart's sharp tactical acumen and penchant for delivering lengthy spells transformed him into a versatile spinner. Only 13 bowlers in the history of first-class cricket have picked up more wickets than him.

Overall Career

Tests - 297 wickets from 86 matches at an average of 25.83 and strike-rate of 73.6 with 17 five-wicket hauls and 6 ten-wicket hauls

ODIs - 32 wickets from 26 matches at an average of 22.93 and economy-rate of 3.44

First-class: 2465 wickets from 676 matches at an average of 20.28 and strike-rate of 56.7 with 153 five-wicket hauls and 47 ten-wicket hauls