In terms of raw, unbridled pace, few bowlers in history can match England's Frank Tyson. Richie Benaud rated him the quickest he's ever seen. In 17 Tests, Tyson took 76 wickets at an average of 18. This was no brainless quickie, however - Tyson was a Durham University graduate, and had a penchant for quoting Shakespeare or Wordsworth to batsmen. Most famously, Tyson blew away Australia as England retained the Ashes in 1954-55. After starting off with 1 for 160 in defeat at Brisbane, he shortened his run and took 10 wickets at Sydney and nine more at Melbourne, when he took 7 for 27 in the second innings and frightened the life out of the Aussies. There can have been few faster spells in history than Tyson's in that innings. He skittled the opposition, and bowling downwind off a shorter run, was literally as fast as a typhoon. Injury plagued his career, though, and although he was tall and strong, he reached for the crease with his final stride and his action wasn't fluid, and he was finished by the time he was 30. He subsequently emigrated to Australia, where he became a headmaster for a time, before coaching Victoria. He also commentated and was a successful writer on the game.
Martin Williamson (April 2004)