Kent name Underwood as 2006 president

Kent have appointed their former England spinner Derek Underwood as club president for 2006.

Underwood took 1,951 first-class wickets for Kent in a career than spanned 24 years. His county success was mirrored at international level, where he took 297 wickets in 86 Tests at 25.83 for England and also played 26 one-day internationals, picking up 32 wickets. His Test wickets tally could have been closer to 350 or 400 but for his involvement with Packer's World Series in 1977 and then joining the rebel tour to South Africa in 1981-82.

"I was delighted to learn that I had been nominated for the presidency of the club and am very honoured to follow in the footsteps of so many notable presidents," Underwood told the Ealing Times. "I eagerly look forward to the year ahead."

Underwood will take over his year-long role in March next year.