Harmison begins recovery

Harmison, bowling at a sharp pace from the Pavilion End, had opener Carl Hopkinson caught at first slip and conceded just 11 runs from eight testing overs.

He shared the new ball with England colleague Matthew Hoggard, who dismissed Chris Nash caught behind as Sussex were reduced to 32 for two.

But the county champions recovered well to reach 157 for two at tea in their first innings, with Murray Goodwin unbeaten on 71 and captain Michael Yardy 40 not out.

Harmison returned just before tea for two overs in which his bounce and pace tested the Sussex pair, but by then they were well set.

Harmison endured a torrid time Down Under from the moment he sent the first ball of the series straight to second slip.

The Durham paceman finished the five-Test series in Australia with just 10 wickets at 61 apiece and it got to the point where he began to "hate the game of cricket".

But he impressed on Durham's pre-season tour to South Africa and returned to first class action with a bang - Hopkinson was caught high on the bat and the ball looped to Owais Shah.

Harmison began the day by adding 17 useful runs at the bottom of the order as the MCC posted a first-innings total of 425.

Yorkshire teenager Adil Rashid scored 47 to enhance his burgeoning reputation and help the MCC add 104 for the last four wickets.