FORMER Scotland batsman Sanjay Patel was the star of the show as MCC claimed the upper-hand against a strong Lions outfit yesterday.

The Scottish bowlers looked set to claim the initiative at the start of the three-day encounter at Cambusdoon, Ayr.

However, veteran Grange batsman Patel turned back the clock with a defiant display which allowed the MCC to recover from 42-3 to post 229.

And, by the close the Lions, containing a full compliment of Saltires stars, had been reduced to 88-6 after a flurry of wickets late in the day.

Patel, who earned his two caps more than a decade ago, upstaged ex-Saltires skippers Craig Wright and Ryan Watson as MCC recovered to post a challenging 229.

He stroked fifteen boundaries in his 139-ball 89 while Watson chipped-in with 25 before being out-foxed by Moneeb Iqbal.

Majid Haq and Gordon Goudie were the top Scots’ bowlers with three wickets apiece.

The Lions were on course to establish a first innings advantage when they cruised to 63-1 in the 14th over.

However, the departure of Ryan Flannigan for a hard-hitting 34 sparked a disastrous collapse which saw them close on 88-6.

Score: MCC 229, 73.5 overs (S Patel 89; M Haq 3-18, G Goudie 3-47) Scotland Lions 88-6, 27 overs (R Flannigan 34)
Scotland Lions, with four first innings wickets in hand, trail by 141 runs.