The Typhoon Blows Out: Frank Tyson

Former England and Northants fast bowler Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson has died at his home in Australia at the age of 85. He was considered to be one of the fastest bowlers of all time and possibly the fastest ever - hence his nickname - by many, including such respected judges as Bradman and Benaud.

Injury cut short Tyson's playing career and he retired aged just 30 when he emigrated to Australia. However, in his 17 Tests he took a highly impressive total of 76 wickets for a remarkable average of under 19. He was probably at his peak leading the attack with Brian Statham and in preference to Fred Trueman down under in 1954-55 when England won the Ashes 3-1. He took 28 wickets in that five Test series including 7/27 in the second innings at Melbourne, the fourth best ever analysis by an England bowler against Australia.

Apparently a top bloke as well. After playing, he was a successful and popular school teacher and headmaster, cricket coach, writer and broadcaster.

I did meet him once at a function down under. He loved to tell stories especially ones that showed the "establishment" on bad light. There was definitely still a players and gentleman split while he was at his peak - even if informally.

May he RIP

While his career was relatively short and despite the fact that he only bowled at his absolute fastest for a short space of time, he made an impact, both on opposition batsmen and the history of the game itself, that far outstripped his lack of longevity. His raw pace, (and, it must be added, skill), enabled him to become the dominant figure of an English Ashes series win in Australia, something that is exceedingly rare for English bowlers (Barnes 1911-12, Larwood 1932-33, Tyson 1954-55 are, perhaps, the only three times this has happened). So how quick was he? Of course it's difficult to know exactly. Both Don Bradman and Richie Benaud said he was the fastest they'd ever seen but, of course, even that evidence is not concrete. I do know that he was fast enough that, after taking a few of Tyson's deliveries low on his pads during that 54-55 series, Neil Harvey's shins were so bruised he could hardly walk.
So. while the 'Typhoon' only blew at full strength for a short period, he certainly left an indelible mark as one of the fastest, and most impressive bowlers the game of cricket has ever known.
RIP

Hoggy - that's a very fine and deserved tribute to the Typhoon.

Of dominant England bowlers of Ashes series wins in Australia, I would also include John Snow from the 1970-71 six Test series (seven if you count the Melbourne Test washed out without a ball bowled). 31 wickets at an average below 23. Underwood was the second leading wicket taker of either side with 16.

Yep, fair enough call on Snow there Guildford. Was racking my brains for other examples as I wrote that. Still, for an English bowler to dominate in Australia is a rare thing.

Hoggy_Bear wrote:Yep, fair enough call on Snow there Guildford. Was racking my brains for other examples as I wrote that. Still, for an English bowler to dominate in Australia is a rare thing.

Totally agree, Hoggy. I wasn't trying to take any wind out of the Typhoon's strength, just keen to make a shout for Snow and an awesome England series win that imo has been too much forgotten.

Late to this party (partly due to the short shrift given to Tyson on the BBC website) and difficult to add much to what has already been said so well.

Going back to the 54/55 Series, one remarkable aspect of England's/Tyson's success was that they were royally thumped in the first Test. Evans apparently fell asleep after a few too many and got sunstroke so Keith Andrew was keeping, and Compton broke a bone in his hand fielding and was a passenger. But still, they were thumped! And Tyson only took one wicket so 27 of those 28 wickets were in four Matches. Even in the Second Test Tyson was apparently first change. After Bailey!

Remarkable Typhoon of a career, pointless worrying about how fast he was, but certainly faster than any comparable quick of the period.

I wonder if Tyson was disillusioned, not just by the Gentlemen/Players nonsense, but also the fact that pros from several Counties scarcely got a look from the Selectors during his era? And others.

Sad to lose Close and Tyson in such a short period of time, both under-appreciated for various reasons.

kwinigolfer wrote:Late to this party (partly due to the short shrift given to Tyson on the BBC website) and difficult to add much to what has already been said so well.

Going back to the 54/55 Series, one remarkable aspect of England's/Tyson's success was that they were royally thumped in the first Test. Evans apparently fell asleep after a few too many and got sunstroke so Keith Andrew was keeping, and Compton broke a bone in his hand fielding and was a passenger. But still, they were thumped! And Tyson only took one wicket so 27 of those 28 wickets were in four Matches. Even in the Second Test Tyson was apparently first change. After Bailey!

Remarkable Typhoon of a career, pointless worrying about how fast he was, but certainly faster than any comparable quick of the period.

I wonder if Tyson was disillusioned, not just by the Gentlemen/Players nonsense, but also the fact that pros from several Counties scarcely got a look from the Selectors during his era? And others.

Sad to lose Close and Tyson in such a short period of time, both under-appreciated for various reasons.

Kwini - some lovely details there about the 54/55 series, thanks.

Shamefully but unsurprisingly the BBC television news here never mentioned Frank Tyson's death, at least not when I was watching. I'll be interested to hear from Alfie of coverage in Australia.

These are well deserved tributes - concentrating on Tyson's fine achievements rather than what might have been if he had not had to retire early.

Should have been on sooner but will add my tributes ...Tyson was certainly a fine servant to the game , and - all too briefly - a superstar in the fast bowling department. Plenty of old timers to say he was the fastest ever...
I was just too young to have seen him at his peak , though I saw him bowl a few years later when he was just a bit nippy rather than terrifying.
He dominated that 54/55 series ; and I fancy Australian conditions rather suited him. Four years later he toured again ; but by then he had fallen clearly behind Statham and Trueman - and actually Loader as well - in the pecking order ; and only played a couple of Tests. Perhaps it would be fair to say raw pace was his strong suit ; and when it faded a little he had to give way to a couple of outstanding bowlers ?
His passing has of course been noted here : he made his mark on Australian cricket with his contributions to coaching. As I recall he was quite influential in helping to set up coaching systems during the seventies. Also remembered for his work in the private school system in Melbourne.
I met him once , briefly , at a Melbourne district match. A nice chap ; he was very forthright in his views on fast bowling !

Probably would have more column inches here if it weren't the climax of the local Football season...

Nice obit from the Grauniad:

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/27/frank-tyson

Found out that my father in law was for a time Tyson's partner at the game of "fives" at Durham University!