Wright puts MCC to the sword

Luke Wright collects more runs on Saturday © Getty Images

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Luke Wright smashed a career-best score to inflict further damage on MCC at Lord's.

All-rounder Wright’s previous impact on the match between the 2007 county champions Sussex and a representative XI containing aspiring England players had been to deliver the ball which poleaxed tail-ender Steve Kirby on Friday afternoon.

But with Kirby given the all-clear and discharged from the Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead, Wright cracked an aggressive century, from 145 deliveries, between the showers.

He closed a wet third day on 155 not out, comfortably surpassing his previous first-class high of 100 against Loughborough University four years ago, as Sussex made 474 for five, an overall lead of 440.

Twenty-three-year-old Wright celebrated his landmark after hitting a full toss back past bowler Graham Onions for a 14th four.

His boundary count up that point also included a top-edged six off Charlie Shreck as he profited from a willingness to play his strokes.

Once into three figures, he accelerated the scoring further with two impressive short-arm jabs to the leg-side boundary off short balls from Graham Onions in one over.

The next, sent down by leg-spinner Adil Rashid, cost 20 as Wright targeted the short boundary on the Grand Stand side of the ground.

Using his power to heave good-length balls to leg, Wright found the ropes on four occasions, clearing it twice.

His progression from 100 to 150 took only 32 balls, in fact, while sixth-wicket partner Robin Martin-Jenkins also prospered between the interruptions for bad light and rain.

Robin Martin-Jenkins added 73 in a 179-run stand with Wright for the sixth wicket at Lord's

Successive fours, a pull followed by a slice over the slips off Shreck, brought up Sussex’s third 50 of the innings.

Earlier Wright shared 108 for the fifth wicket with Matt Prior, who perished for 44 in the second over with the new ball when, having sliced a square drive narrowly over the head of the point fielder for four, he chased a swinging delivery from Shreck.

Without Kirby, one of their attack spearheads, MCC’s bowling options were limited but that did not prevent them striking twice early on the third morning.

Sussex opener Chris Nash’s inability to convert starts continues to plague him.

Prior to the 2008 season opener, Nash had passed 50 on a dozen occasions in first-class cricket without reaching three figures.

And that unwanted trot continued when Graham Onions sent his off-stump cartwheeling in the fifth over of the morning.

Although Nash struck a career-best 90, he will have been disappointed not to have registered his maiden hundred and followed the early dismissal of captain Chris Adams.

That came when giant Nottinghamshire seamer Shreck clutched a return chance after Adams was too soon through his shot.

Meanwhile, Kirby, 30, was driven home shortly after eating lunch at the ground, following the decision he would not play any further part in the contest.

Gloucestershire’s Kirby lost consciousness twice after the blow to the back of his head - once on the field and again in the dressing room - and was detained in hospital overnight with suspected concussion.