Joe Clarke leads way as MCC make 332 against county champions Middlesex

26 March 2017 06:53

Joe Clarke fell 11 runs short of a century as the MCC posted 332 all out on the opening day of the Champion County clash against Middlesex in Abu Dhabi.

Clarke came to the wicket with the score at 125 for three and played the key role as the middle order rallied, hitting 11 fours to guide his side past the 300-mark at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

The Worcestershire batsman was eventually trapped in front by medium pacer James Harris for 89 off the fifth ball of the 81st over with the score on 301.

Clarke was well supported by Ben Duckett, who made 69 before falling lbw to off-spinner Ravi Patel, as well as Ben Cox (40) and Lewis Gregory (36).

Harris was the pick of the Middlesex bowlers as he finished with figures of three for 49, while Patel claimed three for 83 with the wickets of MCC captain Alex Lees (41), Duckett and Gregory.

Middlesex's reply got under way in unpromising fashion as Gregory picked up opener Sam Robson off the fifth ball of the innings, but Nick Gubbins and Tom Helm guided them safely through to nine for one by the close.

Source: PA