A middle-order batsman and medium-pace bowler, Fairlie Dalphatado was a champion schoolboy cricketer at St Joseph's College, Colombo.

[1] After leaving school he had a long career in domestic cricket with Sinhalese Sports Club, and coached the cricket team at St Joseph's College for more than 20 years.

[2][3] He represented Ceylon in the unofficial Test against the touring West Indians in 1948-49 and toured Pakistan with Ceylon in 1949-50, when he played in both unofficial Tests.

[5] Dalphatado worked as a manager in the tea industry.

He married an Indian lady, Therese Abraham, whom he had met while on one of his tennis tours in India.