Mike Yardy has staked his claim as a genuine all-rounder after producing his second career-best performance in the space of two days.

After scoring a record 257 against Bangladesh on Monday, Yardy took 5-83 with his left-arm spin as Sussex wrapped up an innings win over the tourists at Hove yesterday.

Yardy more than doubled his tally of first-class wickets in the process as his decision to switch from seam to spin paid its first dividend.

He said: "It seems a funny thing to say but I was more concerned with getting in as many overs as possible in this match rather than my batting.

"I just need to bowl lots of overs to build up my confidence. Seam bowling can be hard work on slow, flat pitches so I started to do a lot of work in the winter with (academy director) Keith Greenfield in the nets on bowling spin which I had never done before, not even at school.

"Then when I went to Mumbai in January to the World Cricket Academy I got the chance to develop it even more and have carried it on since then."

The 24-year-old could get more opportunities with the ball in the next few games after off-spinner Mark Davis was ruled out for at least ten days. Davis tweaked a hamstring strain while bowling in Bangladesh's first innings on Monday.

Leg spinner Mushtaq Ahmed is also struggling with a knee injury although he is likely to be fit to face Nottinghamshire in today's C&G Trophy second round tie at Hove (10.45) after coming through a rigorous test yesterday.

Coach Mark Robinson said: "The lads have started calling Yards the new Gary Sobers! Seriously though, he is more comfortable bowling spin. He's more consistent, gets into a good rhythm and feels more confident."

The winners of today's game will face Lancashire at Old Trafford in the quarter-finals but there is a decent consolation prize for Sussex should they lose - a three-day game against Australia in July.

Sussex (probable): Ward, Prior, Yardy, Goodwin, Adams, van der Wath, Hopkinson, Martin-Jenkins, Wright, Mushtaq Ahmed, Kirtley.