Arthur Underwood was a medium pace left-arm bowler with an easy action who made his debut for Nottinghamshire as an amateur in the Championship match v Lancashire at Trent Bridge in June 1949, having previously impressed with the Seconds in the Minor Counties Competition.
The following year, Underwood was serving in the Army and in both 1950 and 1951 represented the Combined Services. Having been demobbed, he joined the Notts playing staff and remained at Trent Bridge for three seasons – though his first team appearances were limited due to the presence of established opening bowlers, Harold Butler and Arthur Jepson.
He was born on 21 September 1927 in the small North Notts village of Wiseton, his father being employed by the Laycock family of Wiseton Hall. His early cricket was therefore for Wiseton as the cricket ground adjoins the Hall; he also played cricket for Gainsborough School.
Leaving Trent Bridge, Underwood became a member of the powerful Steetley XI, which dominated the Bassetlaw League in the 1950s and 1960s, containing several other ex-county players including Eric Martin, Jack Kelly and Freddie Stocks.
Underwood’s best season for Steetley came in 1950 when, whilst still in the Army, he captured 60 wickets at an average of just 7.28 to top the Bassetlaw League bowling averages. The Steetley Company’s ground at Shireoaks was at the time considered one of the best in the county.
Arthur died on 29 June 2016, aged 88, in Worksop.
March 2020
Nottinghamshire First-Class Number: 386