THIS FORMER TEST CRICKETER PASSED AWAY TODAY!

News about former Australia cricketer, coach and commentator Bruce Yardley passing away today brought a big shock to the cricket fraternity. The cheerful Yardley passed away at the age of 71 after a long battle with cancer.

Expressing grief over Yardley's death, former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara took to his social media handle and said: "Very sad to hear about the passing of Bruce Yardley. He was a good man to get to know and a great friend of Sri Lankan cricket. May he rest in peace."

Yardley had coached the Sri Lankan team in the late 1990's.  

At the age of 30, Yardley made his debut for Australia and started his cricketing career as a medium-pacer but later turned to be an off-spinner.

Adding laurels to his career, in his 33 Tests for the national team, Yardley took 126 wickets at an average of 31.63. Not just that, he also bagged 344 wickets in first class cricket.

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Very sad to hear about the passing of Bruce Yardley. He was a good man to get to know and a great friend of Sri Lankan cricket. May he Rest In Peace.

— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) March 27, 2019