One of four Australians playing in their first Test, he made useful scores of 22 and 26 and although he went wicketless in the first innings, took 4–134 in the second, helping bowl Australia to victory. 1978 tour of the West Indies Yardley enjoyed considerable success in the West Indies, forming a notable spin combination with Jim Higgs. He began the tour well, taking five wickets against Leeward Islands, including a second innings return of 4–91. He followed this up with nine wickets against Trinidad and Tobago, 4–51 and 5–89. This saw him selected in the first Test to team with Higgs. He took three wickets, but Australia lost by an innings. There was some discussion Yardley would miss the second Test but he ended up playing. Yardley had an excellent game with the bat, scoring 74 off 73 runs in Australia's first innings and 47 in the second. He only bowled two overs, in another Australian defeat. Yardley went wicketless in a tour game against Guyana and was injured while batting, retiring hurt for 37. He recovered to play in the third Test which was an Australian victory. He took three wickets and made 33 and 15 not out; the latter innings was especially crucial as it helped Australia pass the West Indies total. He did find however that Bob Simpson often preferred to bowl himself rather than Yardley. Yardley took six wickets in a game against Windward Islands. In the 4th Test Yardley took 1–48 and 4–40 but Australia collapsed in their second innings and lost the game. Throwing controversy Yardley encountered controversy in a tour match against Jamaica when he was twice no-balled for throwing by umpire Douglas Sang Hue. It marred a fine game for him as he took 5–63 in the second innings and his score of 15 with the bat helped Australia win by two wickets. In the fifth Test Yardley almost bowled Australia to victory with second innings figures of 4–35 but the game ended in a riot. Yardley finished the series with 206 runs at 29.42 and 15 wickets at 25.13. He was easily one of the teams best performers on tour and now firmly established as the first choice off spinner. 1978–79 Ashes Yardley kept his place for the first Test of the 78–79 Ashes. He had a poor game, only taking one wicket, although a first innings score at 17