Mike Yardy has been backed to make a big impact on Sussex's batting this summer after joining the county's coaching staff.

The former England all-rounder has been appointed as the club's first permanent batting coach having impressed on a part-time basis earlier this winter.

Yardy spent 16 years as a player at Hove having come through the club's academy before retiring at the end of the 2015 season and becoming Sussex under-17 coach for the 2016 campaign. The 36-year-old from Hastings won 42 caps for England and was part of the triumphant team at the World Twenty20 in 2010.

Keith Greenfield, Sussex's director of cricket, said: "Since Michael returned to the club at the start of last summer with our under-17s it has been clear the impact he has had on our young batsmen. At the start of the winter, he worked with our batsmen on the professional staff on a part-time basis and again it has been clear that his skills are making a significant difference to our players.

“To have him now with us full-time in our environment will be fantastic for all of us, and the psychology degree that Michael has studied in his time away from the club is also hugely important when dealing with elite players who need to deliver high quality skill and decision making under extreme pressure.”

Sussex appointed Murray Goodwin as their first dedicated batting coach on a short-term basis last season but the former Zimbabwe international left Hove early in the summer to return to Australia.

Yardy is currently in the final year of a sports psychology degree at Chichester University and has previously coaching experience at Hurstpierpoint College.

He said: "Having spent the whole of my playing career at Sussex it was always going to be exciting to come back and help this talented team push forward. The time away has allowed me to focus on other areas which I believe will allow me to offer something different to what is already a strong coaching staff.”