Phil Salt has revealed how Mike Yardy has helped him get his head around a new role as opener.

Yardy, now on the Sussex coaching staff, is working to help the young Welsh batsman with his consistency.

Salt reached his first half-century of the season yesterday as he aims to make the top berth vacated by Chris Nash his own.

Having opened in Australian grade cricket during our winter, Salt has been given first crack by new coach Jason Gillespie this term.

He reached 54 not out off 60 balls as Sussex made 86 without loss off just 21 overs on the opening day of their Championship contest against Gloucestershire at Hove yesterday.

Luke Wells was undefeated on 25 overnight after rain curtailed action after just 90 minutes.

Salt, who went to 49 with a hooked six over deep square-leg, has always had attacking flair.

He told The Argus: “Mike Yardy has been really helpful.

“Process is a massive thing with him and I know it’s a bit of a cliché in cricket.

“But it’s having something repeatable that I go back to ball after ball.

“That’s what makes you consistent in the long run.

“You can have a few good knocks here and there but it’s all about building something that you know you can come back to and do day in, day out.”

Salt has been getting starts.

His three previous Championships scores this term were all between 17 and 29 but he will now aim to push on for a big one.

Sussex have brought in Danny Briggs in place of injured fellow spinner Will Beer.