MCC skipper Ian Bell compiled 44 on the second day of the Champion County match against Yorkshire in Abu Dhabi as he attempts to win back his England Test place.

Dropped from Trevor Bayliss’ squad for the recent Test series in South Africa, the 33-year-old struck seven fours and a maximum in his maiden first-class innings of the domestic season before hitting emerging left-arm spinner Karl Carver to mid-on. Ben Foakes and Rikki Clarke struck unbeaten halfcenturies to take MCC to 282 for six, a lead of seven, when bad light brought the close.

Warwickshire batsman Bell, who saw fellow England international Gary Ballance rack up a century on Sunday, was forced to lead a recovery after MCC slipped to 14 for two.

Nick Browne picked out Will Rhodes at square-leg off Tim Bresnan and nightwatchman James Harris chipped Steven Patterson to short cover. But Bell and Rory Burns (51) helped MCC fight back with a patient third-wicket stand of 89 in 25.5 overs.

Former England seamer Bresnan brought Yorkshire back into the game by removing Burns and Samit Patel, either side of Bell departing, as MCC lost three wickets for 11 runs. Tom Westley then edged behind off Patterson, who trapped Foakes lbw on 17 only for umpire Neil Mallender to reverse his decision.

Foakes made the most of the reprieve with an unbeaten 83 while Clarke contributed 56 to an unbroken stand of 131.