Ben Foakes and Rikki Clarke lead MCC fightback against Yorkshire

Ben Foakes and Rikki Clarke played the MCC out of trouble as they claimed a narrow lead after two days of their Champion County clash with Yorkshire.

Surrey wicketkeeper Foakes battled his way to an unbeaten 83 and put on 131 with Warwickshire all-rounder Clarke (56no) for the seventh wicket, a stand which remained unbroken by stumps in Abu Dhabi.

Their partnership took MCC to 282-6, a lead of just seven runs, but a lead that looked unlikely for most of the opening two sessions as Yorkshire's bowlers quickly found their rhythm.

They struck twice in first nine overs, Tim Bresnan accounting for Essex opener Nick Browne (2), while night-watchman James Harris made only four runs before he was dismissed by Steven Patterson.

Surrey opener Rory Burns and Warwickshire veteran Ian Bell began to rebuild the innings and had put on 89 for the third wicket by the time Bresnan struck again, getting Burns caught behind for 51 - he hit eight fours and a six.

Bell departed off the bowling of Karl Carver six runs later for 44, leaving the MCC on 109-4, and that became a perilous 115-5 when Bresnan (3-51) grabbed his third wicket, Samit Patel trapped in front for only five.

Patel's departure brought Foakes to the crease and he added 37 for the sixth wicket with former Essex team-mate Tom Westley.

Westley made 22 before Patterson (2-32) claimed his second wicket of the day, but that would be the last success for the dual champions, who had made 275 on Sunday with Gary Ballance kicking off his season with a century.

Foakes hit nine fours and a six in his 161-ball stay at the crease, while Clarke contributed six fours and a maximum in a stand that took up the last 36.3 overs of the day.