Wright burst leaves MCC in deep trouble

Those questioning the continuation of the champion county match would have looked on day two as the fixture's death knell after a sublime spell from Chris Wright ended the contest with two days to play.

Wright reminded the England selectors of the talent that is around the counties with a burst of four wickets in 14 balls that destroyed the MCC innings. Together with the run out of Sam Northeast - backing up - Wright had removed five of the top six, with Joe Denly having retired ill, within 28 overs.

Wright struck in his second spell, beginning with wickets with the first and last balls of the third over after being brought back on. He found some away swing to beat Dale Benkenstein playing across the line and then produced a similar ball to the left-handed Dawid Malan to wrap him on the pads.

More away movement produced an edge from Peter Trego to slip before Jimmy Adams played carelessly outside off and was also caught in the cordon. Further wickets for Rikki Clarke - Ned Eckersley pulling to midwicket - and debutant Oliver Hannon-Dalby - Simon Kerrigan lbw shouldering arms - left MCC staring at a mammoth defeat.

The collapse was in stark contrast to the untroubled progress that Warwickshire continued to make on the second day. They batted on into the afternoon to grind MCC into the desert. Laurie Evans and Jim Troughton both made half-centuries in a stand of 111 and further brisk cameos from Tim Ambrose, Clarke and 21-year-old Ateeq Javid - playing his ninth first-class game - racked up a big total.