Mike Yardy hopes to complete one of the most remarkable transformations ever seen in cricket at the ICC Champions Trophy.

The Sussex all-rounder was forced to contemplate a career outside the game just three years ago when he feared his contract would not be renewed at Hove.

But a change in batting style sparked a dramatic turnaround in fortunes for the 25-year-old who is expected to win his third one-day cap for England in their opening match against hosts India on Sunday.

The former William Parker School pupil was struggling so badly for runs he decided to try a new approach which saw him open up his stance and shuffle across the crease at delivery.

It may not be pretty but Yardy has not looked back since.

He cemented his place in the Sussex team with his maiden first-class century in the final match of the 2004 season and was a key member of this season's double-winning side.

That success got him noticed by the England selectors in August and he grabbed his chance with both hands with impressive performances in the one-day series against Pakistan.

Yardy said: "Three years ago I was hanging by a thread to keep my contract at Sussex and my only goal was to stay at county level.

"I certanly wasn't thinking about breaking into the international scene even though it's always in your dreams to one day play for your country. At the time Sussex had 11 better cricketers than me and I started to doubt whether I would ever make it.

"Things do go through your head when you're not getting a go and it's bound to affect your confidence.

"I decided I had to become a bit more open-minded and try to expand my game. Someone suggested I get a slight trigger movement across the I crease so I tried and there was an immediate improvement.

"I was striking the ball well and it really was the start of the next stage for me. It is unorthodox and probably wouldn't work for 99 out of 100 cricketers but for me it did.

"I really don't know what I would be doing right now if I hadn't managed to sort my career out and been successful with Sussex. Cricket has been my life since I first held a bat when I was six so to play in the Champions Trophy for England is incredible."

While Yardy is probably best known to most cricket fans for his unusual stance it is his bowling which has made him so appealing to the England selectors.

He began his career as a left-arm seamer without a great deal of success but a switch to spin means he is now a genuine threat in one-day cricket.

Yardy took 3-24 on his ODI debut against Pakistan at Trent Bridge last month to secure his place in the England squad for the Champions Trophy and has an economy rate under three for his two games.

He has experience of playing on the spinner friendly tracks in India after attending a ten-day training camp with the England Academy squad and hopes to take advantage of the generous spin they offer.

But, like his batting, Yardy does not follow the textbook when it comes to bowling and intends to keep opposition batsmen on their toes by mixing things up a little.

He said: "If you become predictable in one-day cricket it can be your downfall so I try to use the faster ball when I have a hunch the batsmen are coming at me.

"Until two years ago I used to bowl seam so I always had to throw my arm over quickly - even though it didn't come out very quickly!

"I used to try to send it down as quickly as possible but now it's more controlled and I'm trying to hit a good area as well. Against the top players in county and international cricket unless you get it in the right areas it's not really going to work."