John Stephenson, the MCC’s head of cricket, expects Yorkshire to provide his side with their toughest test in six years of day/night champion county cricket tomorrow.

Former Essex all-rounder Stephenson has described the reigning champions as the envy of English cricket, and says they are ideally placed to defend their crown in 2015.

Since the first day/night fixture with the pink ball in Abu Dhabi in 2010, the MCC have won two and lost three.

Stephenson has pulled together a strong team for this fixture at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, including England Test captain Alastair Cook and former England trio Nick Compton, Michael Carberry and Graham Onions.

But he knows his side will need to be strong because Yorkshire will include four of the England Test squad due to tour the West Indies next month in Jonny Bairstow, Adam Lyth, Liam Plunkett and Adil Rashid.

“Yorkshire are the envy of all counties because they have such strength in depth and young players coming through all the time. They cover all bases,” said Stephenson.

“They now have to have sustained success, and I really think they are in a good place to achieve that.

“The way they are led is exceptional. They are quite relaxed, but they work really hard and play hard. They are honest with themselves. They realise they have to build on the success of last year.

“I think we have a team who can compete with them. It’s always difficult bringing a side together at the last moment.

“It’s a really good team, and I’m really pleased with it. We have some really established players and some good young ones.

“Over five years, we’ve won two and lost three. This could be 3-3. That would be great.

“I think this will be our toughest test, yes.

“Any team that has won the Championship is a good side, which makes it even more of a challenge for us. Beating Nottinghamshire and Durham was a good feeling, and I’d like that feeling again.”

Stephenson played one Test for England against Australia at the Oval in 1989, and he is ideally placed to advise Yorkshire on how to maintain their appetite for silverware.

“Having been in an Essex team that had sustained success in the late eighties and early nineties, it becomes harder and harder every year because everyone wants to beat you,” he added.

“My advise would be to stay grounded, stick to the plans that made you successful, and I think they will because I know the Yorkshire mentality. They don’t get ahead of themselves up there!

“It’s different to when I played for Essex because of the international calls. We had them, but they came back in between Test matches. We were very lucky.

“We were a team that stuck together on and off the pitch, and we got used to winning. There’s nothing better than winning to make you confident.”

Andrew Gale is unavailable for the fixture due to his ongoing ECB ban.