Underwood's 7 for 50 on a Sticky Wicket — The Oval Saves the Ashes, August 1968

The 1968 Ashes had been a tight series — Australia won at Lord's, England won at Headingley, three draws. Everything rested on the Oval final Test. When the rain came in, a draw appeared inevitable. The sun that followed made it anything but.

The fifth Test at The Oval in 1968 had been heading for a draw — Australia needed 352 in the final day and were 85 for 5 when rain, arriving at 1pm, appeared to settle the matter. The ground was waterlogged. But the sun came out immediately after the downpour, and while the outfield was wet the pitch had dried under cover. England supporters were invited onto the outfield to help mop up; they came in their hundreds. The umpires, satisfied with the conditions at 4:45pm, agreed to resume with 75 minutes remaining. On a wet-sticky pitch — a surface that Underwood had been born for — he was unplayable. His slow-medium left-arm took 7 for 50 in 31.3 overs; Australia, who had been 85 for 5 at the rain, managed only 125. England won by 226 runs, with five minutes to spare. The series ended 1-1. Underwood's seven wickets in 75 minutes is the most famous pitch-specific bowling performance in post-war English cricket.

“On a wet pitch, he was the most difficult bowler in the world. Batsmen simply couldn't play him.”