Steve Kirby recovers after getting hit on the head

Gloucestershire's Steve Kirby was taken to hospital after he was struck on the head by a short ball in the season opener between the MCC and Sussex.

The fast bowler was knocked out for 30 seconds after attempting to evade a delivery from Luke Wright at Lord's.

Kirby was treated on the field before he was forced to retire hurt and the MCC were bowled out for 205 soon after.

Sussex made a bright start to their second innings, reaching stumps at 174-2 with Chris Nash unbeaten on 82.

The opener struck eight fours in his innings and is 18 runs short of his maiden first-class century, sharing stands of 75 and 76 with Carl Hopkinson and Michael Yardy to give the county champions a 140-run lead.

Typical Kirbs, he wanted to go back out and continue batting, then have a bowl MCC coach David Parsons

However, the second day's play was dominated by Kirby's horrific blow to the head.

The quick thinking of Sussex captain Chris Adams and wicket-keeper Matt Prior, who moved Kirby in the recovery position, helped him regain consciousness.

The 30-year-old was treated on the pitch by England and Wales Cricket Board physiotherapist Steve McCaig, who accompanied the tail-ender back to the pavilion.

But Kirby passed out for a second time in the home dressing room and was soon taken to the nearby Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, where he will be kept overnight for observation.

"Typical Kirbs, he wanted to go back out and continue batting, then have a bowl," said MCC coach and ECB performance director David Parsons.

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"We think he's okay but sent him to hospital as a precaution."

The day began in the worst possible fashion for Owais Shah, who failed to add to his overnight score of 72 in chilly conditions in north-west London.

The England hopeful top-edged a pull off Wright, safely caught by Ryan Harris.

Essex wicket-keeper James Foster edged an outswinger off Robin Martin-Jenkins to Hopkinson at third slip, handing the bowler his 300th first-class wicket.

And leg-spinner Will Beer claimed his maiden first-class wicket, ending Arun Harinath's two-and-a-half hour innings of 33.

Australian Harris took his fourth wicket of the innings, trapping Durham's Graham Onions leg before with a full swinging delivery.

And James Treadwell' stubborn innings of 21 was ended in similar fashion by medium-pacer Ragheb Aga.