Hyderabad, April 17 -- Derek Underwood who passed away on Monday was one of the very best left arm spinners that the cricket world has ever seen. Although he was a spinner, he pushed the ball through at a quick pace and the subtle variations that he introduced in his bowling often baffled the world's top batsmen.

His duels with India's Sunil Gavaskar were absorbing tussles of brain and technique. On one occasion Sunil was asked who were the best bowlers he had faced in his batting career? He replied - Andy Roberts and Derek Underwood. According to Sunil, the English bowler was the best spin bowler that he had played against.

Said Gavaskar, "He was a spin bowler quicker than most others. But he did give the ball some air occasionally. On...