Essex v Yorkshire: England's Ashes hopeful Tom Westley injures thumb against Tykes

Tom Westley has one half-century in nine innings for England this summer

Essex's Ashes hopeful Tom Westley visited hospital for a precautionary X-ray after being struck on his right thumb by Yorkshire's Steve Patterson.

Westley, who averaged 24.12 at three for England in five Tests this summer, was hurt by the ball that got him out.

Essex were in trouble on 80-5 and again on 142-7 but Simon Harmer's 64 helped the champions post 227 all out.

Yorkshire secured their Division One status with their bonus points and Somerset dropping points on day one.

At the start of the day, the visitors were one of four teams who could still join Warwickshire in being relegated to Division Two. But, with seventh-placed Somerset being bowled out for 236 against Middlesex, the swing of six points to the White Rose has already ensured their survival.

Essex slipped to 80-5 with Jack Brooks (3-54) and Ben Coad (2-56) taking early wickets, while Patterson accounted for Westley, who was struck what might prove a doubly painful blow on the glove, allowing Adam Lyth to take a looping catch at second slip.

Westley is the second player with aspirations to go on the Ashes tour to Australia to get injured, after Middlesex's Toby Roland-Jones sustained a back injury last week.

Ryan ten Doeschate (30) and James Foster (25) shared a sixth-wicket stand of 55, but Patterson got rid of them both in successive overs before Harmer's 76-ball knock, which included 11 fours, helped the hosts past 200 and to a batting point.

Bad light ended play on day one with Yorkshire unable to start their first innings.

Essex spinner Simon Harmer:

"Tom Westley needed to go off for a scan. He has got bigger things that await hopefully. We just needed to make sure there was nothing wrong.

"The scan didn't show up anything major. I think he will be good to go. He's a massive cog in our batting line-up. It would be a massive loss of he'd done any serious damage, but thankfully he didn't.

"I've been waiting to contribute with the bat all season. It was nice to score some runs - and when it counted. It was quite a tough pitch, surprisingly, to bat on. I guess it was my day.

"I've been struggling technically with a few things, but I've been working hard with Anthony McGrath, and this was small reward for some of that."

Yorkshire coach Andrew Gale:

"Obviously pleased after the situation we've been in. But frustrated that we've found ourselves in this position.

"It's another example - playing the champions - of how well we can perform. Wee had a good day.

"Ten Doeschate and Foster chanced their arm, as I thought they would do, and the wicket came at a good time.

"But, if you put a team in and get them all out for less than 250, then it is job well done. I guess the key now is batting for a long period of time."