Byas grew up on a farm in Yorkshire, having attended school at Scarborough College.
He was a left-handed batsman who scored a century, on the day his son was born, and very occasionally bowled right-arm medium pace.
He was appointed Yorkshire's captain at the start of the 1996 season, following the resignation of Martyn Moxon.
In 1995, Byas was on the verge of an England call-up, having been the first player to reach 1,000 runs in that season, only the return to fitness of Michael Atherton and Graeme Hick, prevented him from doing so.
His highest score of 213, was made at his home ground of North Marine Road, being one of only five players to achieve a double-hundred in the first-class game, at this stadium.