JOE Clarke was delighted to produce a "shop window" performance for MCC on day one of the Champion County match against Middlesex in Abu Dhabi.

The Worcestershire batsman top-scored with 89 out of 332 all out while his County colleague Ben Cox also made a useful 40.

Clarke has made no secret of his desire to represent England and is already a regular member of the Lions squad.

England director Andrew Strauss said the North versus South series was a chance for players to stake a claim for the 2019 World Cup and Clarke top-scored for the North in the opening game with 57.

Now the 20-year-old has followed that up with another impressive performance in the high profile day-night encounter with a pink Duke ball.

Clarke said: "The North versus South series and being picked by the selectors for this game is very encouraging.

"It’s a nice shop window to put a performance in.

"With such a strong England side at the moment, it’s good that they are still trying to find players from county cricket and the Lions."

Clarke hit 11 fours in his 156 ball knock before he was seventh out at 301.

He said: "All their seamers are very good bowlers. (Harry) Podmore and (Tom) Helm haven’t got as much experience but they are thought very highly of.

"It was nice to do well against them.

"It was tough around the dinner break time when the sun had gone down and with the lights coming on.

"Then coming back out on the pitch in the dark, it was really tough.

"It takes time to adjust your eyes for the first six to ten balls and then it becomes more natural."