ENGLAND Test batsman Tom Westley has been given a pre-Ashes injury scare after being struck on the right hand by Steve Patterson while batting against Yorkshire on day one at Chelmsford.

New champions Essex reached lunch of this season-ending Specsavers County Championship match in trouble at 84-5 from 31 overs following an excellent morning for the White Rose side.

The hosts were asked to bat after an uncontested toss, with play starting 30 minutes late due to rain. Ben Coad and Jack Brooks both struck twice added to Patterson's wicket.

Coad had Varun Chopra (28) caught low down at first slip before Westley gloved a ball which reared at him from just short of a length to second slip for 13.

The England man ran off the field wringing his right hand. The Ashes squad is named on Wednesday.

Brooks later returned to the attack and trapped Dan Lawrence (8) lbw before Coad bowled opener Nick Browne (29).

Brooks then trapped Ravi Bopara lbw for just a single in the 31st over, the second of two wickets to fall with the score on 80.

Yorkshire replaced Tim Bresnan with Karl Carver, with the former player thought to have been rested. Ryan Sidebottom did not make the Yorkshire team for his final match ahead of retirement due to injury.