Former Australia spinner, coach and commentator Bruce Yardley has died from cancer at the age of 71. 

Yardley made his debut for Australia in a Test against India in 1978 and went on to play 33 Tests for his country. He took 126 wickets at an average of 31.63 and seven wickets in seven ODIs.

After his playing career, Yardley coached Midland Guildford in Perth club cricket. He also coached Sri Lanka from 1996 to 1998. He defended Muttiah Muralitharan and his bowling action despite the surrounding controversy at the time.

He also commentated internationally before he died of cancer in Western Australia at the Kununurra district hospital.

Photo: Adrian Murrell/Allsport