His association with the game here began back in the 1990s when in his retirement from the game he became director of cricket with English company Club Surfaces, makers of non- turf cricket pitches.

The man they called ‘Deadly’ in his playing days was a frequent visitor here as the company installed dozens of artificial pitches at clubs and schools throughout the Province.

Derek was also one of the architects of the ClubTurf Ulster Cup — a 40-over knockout tournament and the only one exclusively for the top teams in both the Northern Cricket and North West Unions.

He never missed a Final as the competition carried his company’s name from the 1990s well into the new century. He was to make the first draw for the tournament at one of the first Christmas lunches of the Northern Ireland region of the cricket based charity the Lord’s Taverners. And many club dinners were delighted to have him as guest speaker — all without a fee.

The legend who took 297 wickets in his 86 Tests even donned his whites to enliven the game here.

It was in 2005 when he was instrumental in organising an Old England XI to play an NCU President’s side at Stormont.

The visitors may all have been Test players like Derek Randall and John Lever but there was no doubt who the spectators had come to see.

‘Deadly’ did not disappoint, bagging a couple of wickets just a year short of his 60th birthday.

Derek was also an enthusiastic supporter of the Ireland national team and even travelled to Malaysia for the World Cup qualifiers of 1997. He was to describe a nail biting win over the USA as one of the best matches he had ever seen.

The highlights of his retirement were his presidency of the MCC in 2008 and a year later his induction into the ICC Hall of Fame.

Yet he was never to forget his friends in Northern Ireland, particularly with invitations to the President’s Box for an Ashes Test.

Derek Underwood was a delightful and modest man with much to be immodest about.

And his Christmas cards were proof of an endearing sense of humour.

They were signed: Derek (Deadly no more)