Tyson’s innings ends in Australia

Former England cricketer Frank Tyson, who was regarded as one of the fastest bowlers of his generation, has died at the age 85, Cricket Australia announced yesterday.

Tyson died on Sunday in a hospital on Australia’s Gold Coast, where he settled after emigrating at the end of his cricket career.

Tyson’s former English county side, Northamptonshire, also confirmed his death.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said Tyson ‘‘struck fear into the hearts of batsmen around the globe’’.

Nicknamed ‘‘Typhoon’’, Tyson played only 17 tests for England, but took 76 wickets at an average of 18.56.

He also took 525 wickets in 170 matches for Northamptonshire, at an average of 20.94, but his whiplash bowling action was physically demanding and he was forced to retire at the age of 30.

Sutherland said Tyson would ‘‘forever be remembered as a great of England cricket’’.

‘‘Once his playing days were over he chose to settle here in Australia, the country where he had become a household name.’’

One of Tyson’s greatest achievements came during the 1954-1955 Ashes series in Australia when he claimed 28 wickets at an average of 20.82 to propel England to a 3-1 series win.

Tyson started slowly, taking only one wicket in the first test at Brisbane, but he bagged 10 in the second test at Sydney – a 38-run England victory – and then claimed 7-27 in the third at Melbourne, which England won by 128 runs.

Australia captain Richie Benaud said Tyson’s bowling in the final match had been the fastest he’d ever seen.

Tyson emigrated to Australia in 1960 and became a school headmaster.

He also coached cricket and later became a broadcaster and writer.