Sussex bowler James Kirtley has done his bit for England as they chase a morale-boosting Test series win.

The stand-in Sussex skipper says he would love to open the bowling for his country on cricket's biggest stage.

He did his chances of a future call-up no harm when taking 3-47 for an MCC side packed with bright young talent as they drew a rain-affected three-day contest with the touring Sri Lankans at Chesterfield.

Kirtley's victims included openers Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara, the two touring batsmen most in need of runs ahead of the crucial third and final Test at Old Trafford, which starts on Thursday.

The match petered out in a draw on Saturday as the MCC, having established a first innings lead of 199, added 93 without loss in their second knock, but Kirtley was pleased with his efforts.

He said: "It was no secret to suggest one of the underlying things was to make sure Sri Lanka did not get the preparation for the Test match they might have expected.

"In terms of that, I think it was mission accomplished.

"The selectors were there and I did what was expected of me.

"David Graveney and Geoff Miller were watching, Duncan Fletcher was there on the Friday and they said they were really happy with the way it went."

The MCC fielded young hopefuls such as Kent opener Robert Key and Glamorgan quick bowler Simon Jones, who came on as first change and claimed 2-23 as the tourists were reduced to 57-8 at one stage.

The match was billed as an unofficial Test trial. Kirtley said: "You couldn't help thinking like that a little bit but the team made it a very relaxed atmosphere.

"It was obviously intense when we played. There was a big build-up but everyone knew they needed to stay relaxed and not get too wound up for the game and it worked pretty well.

"I'm a big fan of this sort of game. I think there ought to be more of them to give younger players or those with big ambitions a taste of what international cricket is all about."

There was frustration for Kirtley and his county team mates at Lord's yesterday as Sussex looked for a second National League win in the space of five days.

They managed just 5.2 overs before their Second Division match with rock bottom Middlesex at Lord's suffered a slow but painful demise at the hands of the wet weather.

The players were forced off after just 20 minutes, in which Sussex made 25-1 off 5.2 overs having been put in to bat.

Mike Yardy was the man to go, being trapped lbw as he edged forward by Chad Keegan off the fifth ball of the innings and the fourth he had faced.

Richard Montgomerie had got things moving with a gentle push through the leg side for three off the first delivery.

Montgomerie and Murray Goodwin played some fluent attacking strokes during their brief time at the crease.

Although play got underway on schedule at 1pm, the drizzle which forced the teams off soon increased to steady rain.

Most of the hardy few dozen spectators who had made their way to the famous old ground were seeking alternative entertainment long before play was officially abandoned just after 5pm.

Sussex will hope for better luck when they return to the capital for their next National League tussle, versus Surrey at The Oval on Sunday, June 23.