SCOTLAND may have been spared red faces during yesterday's warm-up match at Lord's but it was MCC who finished in the pink after carving out a comfortable four-wicket win.

Much interest centred on the use of the MCC's new prototype ball for the first time on UK soi However, for the Saltires the main purpose was to claim much-needed practice ahead of Sunday's FP Trophy opener against Lancashire. To this extent it was mission accomplished as the weather allowed the Scots to complete their one and only warm-up match before Freddy Flintoff & Co arrive at the Citylets Grange.

In the event, though, only skipper Ryan Watson and wicketkeeper Colin Smith took full advantage of the outing. The pair shared a fine century stand but the day belonged to the former Surrey and Notts batsman Darren Bicknell.

Chasing Scotland's 253-7, the left-handed opener struck a superb unbeaten 132 as the hosts eased home with eight balls to spare. The veteran batsman was harsh whenever the Saltires' bowlers strayed in length or line and provided a timely reminder of the step up in standard which can be expected on Sunday.

Watson's side got off to the worst possible start when they lost both openers inside the first four overs Fraser Watts was first to go when he was bowled by the pacy Johnny Wightman for a single. Worse followed when Aussie recruit Ed Cowan saw his debut cut short after nibbling outside off stump to be caught behind, also for a single, to leave the Scots on 3-2.

However, Watson and Colin Smith survived several early scares to ease the jitters with an excellent stand of exactly 100. Aberdeenshire star Smith was in attacking mood from the start, taking a couple of boundaries from Alan Duncan's first ove However, having reached 42, Smith edged the former Freuchie bowler to wicketkeeper Josh Knappett.

It was left to Watson to produce the backbone of the innings and the skipper looked set for a memorable Lord's ton However, having reached 91 with a dozen fours and one six, the Forfarshire man was trapped in front by James Hamblin.

Watson's departure saw the runs dry up until a late flurry from John Blain hoisted the tally beyond 250.

However, it wasn't enough to secure victory on an historic Lord's occasion.

Blain gave a lukewarm response to the pink ball, suggesting batsmen may benefit but bowlers will find life just as tough. Scotland's all-rounder of the year smacked a rapid 28 not out but had little luck when the Scots bowled, claiming 1-44 as MCC eased to their target.

Blain said: "The feedback about the new ball was pretty positive – especially from the batsmen who say it's more visible than the old white ones. But the one we used didn't swing much, so for me the jury is still out."

Meanwhile Blain reckons the Saltires will be ready to bounce back from yesterday's reverse when they face Lancashire in the FP Trophy on Sunday.

He added: "It was just great to get a game outdoors and the lads will feel a lot better for getting this game under our belts. The result wasn't too important today and, to be fair, the MCC got the better of the conditions We were obviously a bit rusty but we'll be that bit sharper by Sunday."