Wisden overview
A medium-pace bowler who found his prehensile fingers suited to off-breaks, Bruce Yardley proved a serviceable Australian auxiliary during the early 1980s. He enjoyed a golden summer at home against Pakistan and West Indies in 1981-82, when he took 38 wickets in six Tests. His grip, reliant on third and fourth fingers, imparted considerable overspin, and he was quick through the air. Despite his pipecleaner-man physique, he was also an effective hitter in the lower order, and in the gully possessed sure hands and telescopic arms. Yardley, who never toured England, later briefly coached Sri Lanka. Gideon Haigh

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