Daryl Mitchell found himself with a high profile room-mate when part of the MCC squad for the traditional curtain-raiser to the new season with Champion County Yorkshire in Abu Dhabi.
Worcestershire skipper Mitchell shared a room with England Test captain Alastair Cook who returned to action for the first time after losing the ODI captaincy and missing out on the World Cup squad.
Mitchell was glad to have the opportunity to ask questions and gleam some knowledge from a player who has 27 Test hundreds to his name and who will lead England in the West Indies next month.
Mitchell said: "It was brilliant, I really enjoyed it, a great set of lads. We took the cricket seriously but had a bit of fun off the pitch as well. It was a really good trip.
"I actually roomed with Alastair Cook so it was good to pick his brains and the other guys as well. There was a lot of experience there.
"He is a great guy, Cooky, and it was good to get to know him a little bit better."
Mitchell batted at number five and scored 54 in the first innings of a game Yorkshire won by nine wickets.
It followed on from his two half centuries when part of the Worcestershire squad in Abu Dhabi prior to the MCC fixture.
Mitchell said: "I was really pleased with the way I played, the footwork was good and it was a real good start to the year.
"I was disappointed to have got out, having got to 50. I would have liked to have gone on and get a real meaningful total which would have been good for the team as well.
"Unfortunately I got out and didn't quite get in second innings (when scoring nine) which was a bit disappointing as well but overall it was a reasonable enough start.
"Hopefully I can kick on from that. It's nice to get a few runs, with the ones for Worcestershire as well, and probably the one thing missing is that 100, and scoring that big score.
"But hopefully that is just around the corner and hopefully I'll do that when it matters in the Championship game."
