Brett D’Oliveira made 30 for MCC who had the better of the opening day of the Champion County clash with Essex at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.
The Worcestershire batsman helped MCC to reach 73-2 off 28 overs by the close after Essex had been bowled out for 187 in 68 overs.
D’Oliveira opened in his customary role on a ground where he had enjoyed success for the North against the South with the bat last week.
He quickly lost opening partner Daniel Bell-Drummond (3) with 16 on the board and then added a further 31 with Sam Northeast.
D’Oliveira struck four boundaries in his 51 ball knock before he gave a return catch to Matt Coles.
By the close Northeast had moved onto 35 not out.
D’Oliveira did not bowl in the Essex innings after the Specsavers County Championship Division One champions were put into bat.
They reached 53-0 but then collapsed to 142-9 before James Foster and Jamie Porter added 45 for the last wicket.
Richard Gleeson did most of the damage with 5-50 from 18 overs. Fidel Edwards (1-45), Dominic Bess (2-57) Paul Collingwood (1-3) and Matt Fisher (1-27) were the other wicket-takers.
