MCC 332-6 v Sussex, day one (close)
England's Alastair Cook warmed up for the new season in fine style with a superb century on the first day of the MCC's curtain-raiser against Sussex. 
The Essex opener, named as captain of a strong MCC side at Lord's, fired 18 fours and a six in his 225-ball 142.
He shared stands of 132 and 115 with Owais Shah (47) and Alex Loudon (53) as the MCC reached 332-6 by close of play.
James Kirtley and Robin Martin-Jenkins took two wickets apiece at a low rate, but Sussex's other bowlers struggled.
Kirtley did not concede a run off his first 27 deliveries and made the most of some early swing to have Nick Compton caught by Ollie Raynor at slip for a duck in the first over.
But, aside from Martin-Jenkins, all Sussex's other bowlers were going for well over four an over and Shah joined Cook to put the MCC back in charge with a wonderful stand, until the Middlesex batsman was caught behind off Kirtley.
Loudon then took up the challenge and struck nine boundaries in an 86-ball stand before Martin-Jenkins snared him plumb in front, while Zoheb Sharif, currently studying at the MCC-sponsored Cambridge University Centre of Cricketing Excellence, made just four before he fell to Luke Wright.
The otherwise expensive Wright finally ended Cook's fine innings with a bit of away swing which had him caught behind by Matt Prior, but Alex Gidman and promising Worcestershire wicket-keeper Steve Davies then put on 61 for the sixth wicket.
Martin Jenkins had Gidman caught behind but Adil Rashid and Davies saw out the final few overs to keep the MCC's noses in front.
The MCC were without England spinner Ashley Giles, who withdrew with a hip problem, but did include Test bowlers Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison.
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