Cook relieved after century knock

It gives you confidence that the things you have been working on through February and March are working Alastair Cook

England's Alastair Cook could barely hide his relief after kicking off the new season with a first-day century against Sussex for the MCC at Lord's.

Cook struck 18 fours and a six in a 255-ball 142 to leave the MCC in charge and put his scratchy form in the 5-0 Ashes defeat to Australia behind him.

"It is like a monkey off your back to get a hundred," he said.

"Everyone wants to get their first hundred in any form of cricket and it is nice to do it first time up."

Cook averaged under 28 in Australia, despite scoring a century in the third Test, and he added: "Getting to 10 or 15 is the hard part. I kept getting 15s in Australia so it is nice that, when you do get in, you score big.

"It gives you confidence that the things you have been working on through February and March are working and it bodes well."

The wicket is still doing a bit so I am looking forward to Hoggy and Harmy bowling well Alastair Cook

Owais Shah (47) and Alex Loudon (53) also contributed as the MCC finished the day 332-6, and Cook believes the likes of Steve Harmison and Matthew Hoggard can put Sussex under more pressure.

"James Kirtley bowled beautifully for them, especially down the slope, but I was lucky enough to get through it and then make hay," he said.

"The wicket is still doing a bit so I am looking forward to Hoggy and Harmy bowling well and Graeme Onions has looked good in the nets."