BEN Cox picked up three catches for the MCC before he and Worcestershire team-mate Joe Clarke fell cheaply in the second innings of the match against Champion County Middlesex in Abu Dhabi.

Cox followed up his impressive 40 in MCC's first innings total of 332 by holding onto chances offered by Stevie Eskinazi (0), John Simpson (49) and James Franklin (0) as Middlesex were bowled out for 179.

Dawid Malan hit 56 as Somerset duo Lewis Gregory (5-32) and Craig Overton (4-32) earned MCC a first innings lead of 153 with their county team-mate Jack Leach picking up the other wicket.

But they struggled for runs themselves at the second time of asking and closed on 145-7 as 16 wickets fell on the second day of the day-night fixture played with pink Duke balls.

Clarke had top-scored with a classy 89 in the MCC's first innings but made only two before he was bowled by James Harris - fourth out at 49-4.

Cox adopted an aggressive approach and made 17 off just 21 balls with four boundaries before he was trapped lbw by Harry Podmore.

Adam Lyth (42), Gregory (32) and Overton (25 not out) were the MCC's main run-getters and they have an overall lead of 298 heading into the third day.

As on the opening day, wickets fell in clusters as the ball swung extravagantly for periods of the day.

MCC were able to bowl out Middlesex despite the absence of Liam Plunkett with a calf injury.