Sidebottom swung the ball around to cause the MCC problems

Nottinghamshire bowled the MCC out for 168 on day two but lost three wickets in extending their second-innings lead to 91 as rain prevented play after tea.

Ryan Sidebottom finished with 4-42 and Mark Ealham 3-26 to leave the hosts struggling on 107-7 at a muggy Lord's.

But Worcestershire wicket-keeper Steve Davies hit a bright 42 to rally the hosts and Tim Bresnan took two wickets as the champions slumped to 10-2.

But stand-in captain Jason Gallian stood firm with 40 to steady his side.

It has been an interesting couple of days in the traditional curtain-raiser, with the batsman finding the going tough.

Sidebottom swung the ball from the pavillion end to take three early wickets, with nightwatchman Monty Panesar lasting only six balls before edging to Gallian at first slip.

Alex Loudon hit Greg Smith for three boundaries in one over but another forcing shot saw him guide Sidebottom to David Hussey at second slip.

Ed Joyce followed in the next over when he rocked back and edged Sidebottom to a diving Graeme Swann at fourth slip.

When Mark Ealham found the edge of Ravinder Bopara's bat the hosts were in danger of embarrassment but Rikki Clarke (25) and Luke Parker (32) restored a semblance of respectability with a stand of 57.

Ealham struck soon after lunch to have both brilliantly caught by wicketkeeper Chris Read.

Davies' defiance ended when Smith swung one in to bowl him before Paul Franks mopped up the tail.

Notts, who were bundled out for 191 on Friday, soon had more difficulties when Darren Bicknell shouldered arms third ball and Bresnan's swinging delivery crashed into the stumps.

Russell Warren was then caught behind and Bopara bowled David Hussey to put the MCC in charge before Gallian restored some order to the proceedings.