A FORMER England fast bowler who was a professional at Todmorden has died aged 85.

Frank Tyson’s former county, Northamptonshire, confirmed the news on their website yesterday morning, saying Mr Tyson had passed away in hospital in Australia after being in poor health for some time.

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Nicknamed ‘Typhoon’ for his extreme pace, he was one of the quickest bowlers to have played the game and played for Todmorden Cricket Club for one season in 1961.

Former president Norman Stansfield said: “He was a great fast bowler to see play.

“At that time the Lancashire League had some of the best players in the world playing in it.

“You were only allowed to have one professional and he was quite a good one to have.”

Mr Tyson’s exploits in the 1954-55 Ashes in Australia, in which he picked up 28 wickets in five tests, is what he is likely to be remembered for most.

Born in Farnworth, Mr Tyson went on to play 170 matches for Northamptonshire, claiming 525 wickets at 20.94 runs apiece.

He was also a useful lower-order batsman with nine half-centuries to his credit for the county.

The outstanding moment of an international career which saw him take a total of 76 wickets in 17 Tests came with the 28-wicket haul Down Under in a series England won 3-1.

It included him claiming 10 wickets in the second test at Sydney, as well as seven for 27 in Australia’s second innings in the next match at Melbourne, and made him a national sporting celebrity.

After retiring due to injury at the age of 30 in 1960, Mr Tyson emigrated to Australia where he became a school headteacher for a time.

However he returned to the UK in 1961 to play for Todmorden for one season.

Mr Stansfield said: “He was a good character to have around the place and was an asset to the club while he was with us.

“He was a great player to watch every week and his long run-up was something that we had not really seen before.”

He also coached and was a commentator and a successful writer, penning numerous books on the game.”