Afzaal shines against Sri Lanka

Key, from Kent, forged a 95-run opening partnership with Middlesex captain Andrew Strauss. He then enjoyed a 53-run partnership with David Fulton, before Sri Lanka hit back with three quick wickets. Strauss was out attempting to pull Dilhara Fernando and was caught at square leg by Upul Chandana. Fulton top-edged the ball off Perera into the gloves of Prasanna Jayawardene.

Key was then dismissed in the next over when he attempted to cut a leg-break from Chandana and Hashan Tillekeratne took a safe catch at first slip. Owais Shah faced just three deliveries before he was caught by Perera at mid-off without troubling the scorers.

Afzaal and Darren Stevens steadied the ship as the MCC reached the tea interval at 160 for four. But the tourists made another breakthrough soon after when Leicestershire's Stevens edged a Perera delivery to Tillekeratne at gully. Wicketkeeper Chris Read and Afzaal put on 68 before Read (23) became Perera's third victim when he edged the ball into the hands of Sanath Jayasuriya.