ESSEX bowler Jamie Porter said he enjoyed featuring with bat and ball on day one of the match against the MCC in Barbados.

Porter scored 10 not out to anchor the bottom of the Essex order and then took the opening wicket of the MCC innings to leave Essex 114 runs ahead at the end of day one, albeit needing eight further wickets.

And the Essex seamer was pleased with his contribution.

“It started off well as it was a good pitch in normal light but as soon as that started to fade in the twilight period and the lights took full effect, then it became much harder,” he said. “It was great to contribute with the bat, especially with Foz (James Foster) as I always enjoy batting with him. Hopefully it turns out to be an important partnership come the end of play and I thought I played some nice shots too.

“I’ve spent much of the winter playing alongside most of their players so it was good to be coming up against them.”

Ryan ten Doeschate won the toss and chose to bat, with Nick Browne and Aron Nijjar opening the batting.

Browne top scored with 46, with James Foster (34) and Tom Westley (32) also scoring well.

But a superb spell from Northants’ Richard Gleeson (5-50), including a hat-trick, skittled Essex for 187.

The MCC closed on 73-2 with Matt Coles claiming his first Essex wicket.