Ed Joyce will lead the MCC side at Lord's © Getty Images

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MCC have named a strong side for the traditional domestic season opener against the LV County Champions, Sussex, at Lord’s.

England Lions captain Ed Joyce will lead a team that includes fellow senior internationals Owais Shah, Ravi Bopara, Graham Onions and James Foster.

Also included are Michael Carberry, Adil Rashid, Steve Kirby and Alan Richardson, who recently toured India with the Lions along with Joyce and Foster.

England Under-19 bowler Steve Finn, former Lions spinner James Tredwell and Surrey prospect Arun Harinath make up the 12-man squad for the match on April 10-13.

Joyce said: “It is an honour to be asked to captain the MCC team against Sussex, and it's a match I'm greatly looking forward to.

“With the spotlight on this game, it's a chance for all of the guys to get some early season form and make the England selectors sit up and take notice.

“There will be a lot of determined cricketers at Lord's, and you can expect a very competitive match as a result.”

ECB's operations manager Guy Jackson, who will oversee the MCC team, added: “The season-opening fixture at Lord's is not only a hugely valuable exercise for the England coaching team and selectors but it's a great opportunity for all the players to put in a good performance and take it into the county season.

“There is a healthy competition for places in the England Test side, which is as it should be, and the selectors will be casting a keen eye on all the contenders between now and May.”

Owais Shah is set to face Sussex © Getty Images

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MCC's secretary and chief executive Keith Bradshaw said: “The champion county fixture is one that is greatly anticipated by everyone at MCC.

“Heralding the start of the English cricket season, this match is the first of around 450 that we will play in the UK this year against schools, clubs and touring sides.

“It's a time when (Lord’s groundsman) Mick Hunt and his team put the finishing touches to the ground and practice facilities, and there's a general buzz of excitement about the place.

“It might be two-jumper weather but we can't wait for the cricket to begin at Lord's.”

MCC head of cricket John Stephenson, who played in this fixture in 2005 and 2006, added: “We're looking forward to the season starting in what promises to be another busy year for MCC cricket.

“This match is a great opportunity for Arun Harinath to show his talent and by association highlight the depth of skill to be found in the MCC Universities.

“He'll learn a great deal from playing with Ed, Owais and the others, and will hope to use it as a springboard for success.

“This happened last year when an outstanding performance from Adil Rashid was the catalyst for a very good season, culminating in him being voted the Cricket Writers' Club Young Cricketer of the Year.”

MCC squad to play Sussex:

Ed Joyce, captain (Middlesex)
Ravi Bopara (Essex)
Michael Carberry (Hampshire)
James Foster (Essex)
Steven Finn (Middlesex)
Arun Harinath (Loughborough UCCE & Surrey)
Steven Kirby (Gloucestershire)
Graham Onions (Durham)
Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
Alan Richardson (Middlesex)
Owais Shah (Middlesex)
James Tredwell (Kent)