00:00Let's rewind to April 1983, the Pichircu city of Kandy played host to a historic clash
00:06as Sri Lanka faced Australia in their only test of the series.
00:10And it was here that the willy of spinner Bruce Yardley delivered a spell straight out
00:14of a cricketing dream.
00:16In the first innings, Bruce Yardley rolled up his sleeves, took the ball, and spun a
00:20masterclass, 5 for 88 in 25 hours.
00:23With precision flight and turn, he outforked the Sri Lankan batters one by one.
00:28Bruce Pfeiffer was the turning point that ensured the hosts were bowled out for 271 when they
00:33looked set for much more.
00:35In the second innings, he also returned to add two more wickets for 78 runs, tightening the
00:40screw further and handing Australia a thumping victory by an innings and 38 runs.
00:45It was a spell that had everything control, variety, and that classic Aussie's grit, a
00:50performance that reminded us why Bruce Yardley was a true artist with the ball.
00:55Now let's relive that mesmerizing spell, Bruce Yardley, 5 for 88.
00:59Sit back and enjoy the magic.
01:06Sre-Lanka, after 70 minutes of betting, 46 for 3.
01:13Yardley bolts to Madhu Galle, and he's out, he's caught and bowled by Yardley, the ball,
01:19Yardley held it back fractionally.
01:21Madhu Galle going for the drive, played early, and Yardley takes the return catch.
01:26So, just when Madhu Galle seemed to be settling in with his keeper Mendez, he's been caught
01:33and bowled by Yardley for 9, and Sri Lanka now 46 for 4, and certainly Australia doing themselves
01:41proud today.
01:42Mendez must be a very varied man.
01:47...to Tulip Mendez.
01:58And he's out.
02:08Well, that was most unfortunate indeed for Sri Lanka.
02:111.42, and the next wicket falls, that of Dilip Mendez off the bowling of Yardley.
02:19A 96-run partnership between Ranatunga and Mendez made that just one mistake of lofting that ball
02:29to mid-off, and Hooks, of course, made no mistake about it.
02:36Faces Yardley.
02:39He's lofted this one, but Hogan is there and is second to catch.
02:45A beautiful running catch.
02:50Hogan had to cover about, about 15 to 20 yards.
02:55Look at the players running out into the outfield to congratulate him.
03:00A very rare and good catch.
03:03Sri Lanka, 220 for 6.
03:06Out for...
03:10...transit now from the southern end, to bowl to Ranatunga.
03:15Ranatunga swings and he's going to be out, he's caught.
03:17He's going to be caught.
03:19Yes, and there, Ranatunga, a rush of blood to his head.
03:23And that's Wessels at Midwikert, Ranatunga on 90, swinging wildly at Yardley with his head thrown there,
03:32and at the end of a fine knock by this very talented young batsman.
03:39Yardley to Guy D'Alvis.
03:46Well, Guy D'Alvis goes back, apparently batten pad, good lint ball by Yardley.
03:522.47 then for 8 wikits Sri Lanka, 2.47.
04:17When you talk about Australia's rich history of spinballing, Bruce Yardley is a name that deserved for more limelight.
04:24A crafty offspinner with a golden arm, Bruce Yardley was not just about spinning the ball.
04:29He was a thinker, a tactician, and above all, a fighter representing Australia in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
04:38Bruce Yardley brought his own flair to the art of offspin at a time when fastballers ruled the roast.
04:44Bruce Yardley made his test debut in 1978 and went on to play 33 tests and 7 ODIs for Australia, picking up 126 test wikits with his clever offspin.
04:55Known for his high arm action, subtle changes in flight, and ability to extract bounds even on unresponsive tracks, Bruce Yardley was a nightmare for batters who liked to play aggressive shots.
05:07Aside from his bowling, Bruce Yardley was also a handy lower order batsman and an enthusiastic team player.
05:14He even once dismissed Sunil Gwaskar, one of the greatest openers ever, four times in one series, a feat not many ballers could claim.
05:22After retiring, Bruce Yardley remained deeply connected to cricket.
05:25He became a respected coach, mentioning spinners and working in various roles, including a coaching time with the Sri Lankan national team.
05:33He was widely praised for his sharp cricketing brain and passion for nurturing talent.
05:37Bruce Yardley passed away in 2019, but his legacy as a bold, brainy, and skillful spinner,
05:43lives on in the hearts of cricket fans.
05:46If you liked this video, please comment, share, and subscribe.
05:49Thanks for watching.
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