Daryl Mitchell made a half century for the MCC on the opening day of the four-day match with champion county Yorkshire at the Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
The Worcestershire captain relinquished his accustomed opening batsman role but still made a sizeable contribution batting at number five.
The 31-year-old came to the wicket with MCC 81-3 in a day-night match being played with a pink ball.
He shared in a fourth wicket partnership of 77 with Somerset batsman James Hildreth who was dismissed for 89 with 160 on the board.
Mitchell, who will face Yorkshire in the opening LV = County Championship match of the campaign at New Road next month, made 54 off 81 balls with nine boundaries before he was trapped lbw Will Rhodes.
It was his third half century in Abu Dhab in during the past fortnight after making two – against a UAE X1 and Derbyshire – for Worcestershire on their pre-season trip.
MCC captain Nick Compton, who had a brief loan spell with Worcestershire in 2013, and England Test captain Alastair Cook opened the innings but they fell to Ryan Sidebottom for nought and three respectively.
After Mitchell's dismissal, the MCC lost quick wickets and were bowled out for 221 in 67.5 overs.
Yorkshire reached 82-2 off 26 overs by the close with Mitchell holding onto a catch to dismiss Jack Leaning off Surrey paceman Jack Leaning.