Great article.
I was a Member of Surrey for many years, including Clarke's tenure, and would agree with much that was said (bit harsh on Jackman who was still a decent bowler although past his best by then).
In 40 years of watching I would say that Silvers, if he slipped himself (which was far from every game), was the quickest I've seen. I can recall some amazing saves by Jack Richards when one slid down the leg side.
I never heard of him bowling 'angry'. I'm told by a couple from that team that he tended to go quieter if upset.
Two things goit him fired up to bowl his fastest:
A: A fellow West Indian coming in to bat.
B: A batsman he rated.
I recall one afternoon at The Oval. Clarke had ambled through a few overs earlier then gone to graze at gully. A wicket fell and in strode one I.V.A.Richards. Sylvester was given the ball (he'd have taken it otherwise) and we were treated to a few spectacular overs which, I think, ended in a draw somehow. It was like two heavyweight boxers slugging each other. Brief but amazing.
He would certainly have rated Gower, Waugh and others so they saw his peak. It was said that he disliked Boycott, and therefore bowled fast at him, but I was in a group in a pub once as Sylvester started out on what was probably a mighty session when someone raised this very question. Clarke said he had no problem with Boycott but he was a real good batsman - and so got the pace.
I used to sit in the old Pavilion on a small balcony near the away team changing room - and like all the regulars knew Ted the Dressing Room Attendant. It was day one of a match against Yorkshire in the days when teams could have two overseas on the staff but only one could play. Surrey had Silvers and Tony Gray (talented but lazy). About 10.15 Ted comes out and says "..'ere lads, who is playing today, Clarkey or Gray?" We said we didn't know yet and asked him the reason for the question "Boycs and Martyn Moxon just asked me," He goes back in and a few minutes later Boycott and Moxon go for a loosening up jog round the outfield. By the time they get back Ted has found out - Clarke is playing. A few minutes later the teams are announced and guess what? Boycott and Moxon, citing hamstring injuries, have pulled out. Yorkshire batted first and opened with Arnold Sidebottom

. A very angry Brian Close appeared from Yorkshire the next day (they were already on the way to a huge stuffing), locked the dressing door and you can guess the rest
I think the quickest I saw him bowl was one evening against Middlesex. Now I doubt anyone here would question Mike Gatting's courage but lets just say Micheal wasn't getting entirely behind the line


It was swift bowling on a not overly fast pitch.
When Surrey released him he went to one of the Northern Leagues but his Club up there cut him quite quickly saying he wasn't fit. Well he had never been 'fit' when he played for Surrey. He was never a scultured athlete and wasn't tall but he had hugely powerful, and apparently very supple, shoulders.
I think there were two West Indians who 'took the Rand' who would have made their squad even more feasome in the late 70/early 80s - Clarke and Franklyn Stephenson.