Vale Frank Tyson: 1930-2015

Arguably the world’s fastest bowler in the 1950s, “Typhoon” Tyson’s career was unfortunately plagued by injury. He took 76 wickets at 18.56 in only 17 Tests. His devastating 7/27 at Melbourne in the 1954-55 Ashes series blew the home side away, paving the way for a 3-1 victory for England to retain the Urn. In his first class career spanning the period 1952-1960, Tyson took 767 wickets at 20.89 for England and Northamptonshire.

After retiring from the game just before the age of 30, he emigrated to Australia and became a school teacher at Melbourne’s Carey Baptist Grammar School where he taught English, French, History and mentored a school cricket team that featured future Australian captain Graham Yallop. He also worked at Ivanhoe Grammar. He continued to play cricket at club level, turning out as captain-coach for Melbourne University and also representing Footscray.

Tyson easily adapted his teaching attributes to become an excellent cricket coach in Victoria. He coached Footscray and Melbourne University between 1957-58 and 1963-64 and, in 1975, became the first-ever full-time Victorian Cricket Association Coaching Director, a position he held for 12 years. Upon his retirement in 1987, Tyson was awarded CV Life Membership. Amongst Tyson’s many achievements as a coach were Victoria’s back-to-back Shield triumphs in 1978-79 and 1979-80.

Cricket Victoria Chief Executive Officer, Tony Dodemaide commended Tyson for the time and work he put into Victorian cricket.

“Frank was one of the greats of the game and pioneered Cricket Victoria’s highly successful ‘coaching the coaches’ development program whilst he was with us. He worked tirelessly on Game Development programs throughout the state and encouraged countless young cricketers to take up or continue cricket as part of their lives,” said Mr Dodemaide.

“Frank was truly an inspirational character and his loss will not only be felt greatly here in the Victorian cricket community, but throughout Australia, as Frank influenced many for the greater good of the game.”

“On behalf of Cricket Victoria, we would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Ursula and the Tyson family and friends for their loss. We were all truly privileged to have Frank with us and he will be greatly missed,” concluded Mr Dodemaide.

Tyson was a cricket writer for the London Observer, Daily Telegraph, Melbourne Age, and contributed to the Cricketer International magazine. He also authored a number of books.

Tyson was also a respected cricket commentator on Australian radio for 36 years and for Channel Nine between 1979 and 1986, and later in life became an accomplished amateur painter.