Former Sri Lanka coach Bruce Yardley no more

Former Sri Lanka coach and Australian spin bowler, Bruce Yardley, has died in far north Western Australia after a prolonged fight with cancer at the age of 71.

Starting his cricketing life as one of many swing and seam bowlers in WA, Yardley became an off-spinner, first earning Test selection in the summer of 1977-78.

Not immediately successful for Australia, Yardley gradually improved as a bowler generating turn and bounce from a long, angled run-up.

Yardley was Australia's No. 1 spinner, and enjoyed three summers in the national spotlight from 1980 to 1983.

Yardley was to fall out of favour with the national selectors in 1983 despite taking seven wickets against Sri Lanka in his final Test, and retired from the game in 1985.

Following the end of his playing days, Yardley coached domestically, and then become Sri Lanka’s national coach from 1996 to 1998.

During Yardley's time with Sri Lanka, he was a noted advocate for Muttiah Muralitharan and a defender of his bowling action in contrast to many of his countrymen.

He also coached and commentated internationally, before battling cancer back home in Western Australia, where he died at Hospital.