Ravi Bopara continued his rich vein of form, demonstrating supreme timing and clinical shot execution to reach 88 out of 226-4 as Essex enjoyed the better of the afternoon’s play on day one against Yorkshire.

The hosts resumed on 120-3 after lunch but Bopara dominated the second session to halt the Tykes’ progress.

The right-hander gave the England selectors a timely reminder of his current standing, reaching his half-century from 69 balls with seven boundaries as he and Matt Walker led a recovery mission.

The introduction of Anthony McGrath into the attack to bowl in tandem with Adil Rashid curbed the flow of runs as the pair sent down 30 successive runless deliveries at one stage before a single to left-hander Walker brought the total to 200.

Yorkshire finally ended a partnership that had realised 80 runs when Rashid encouraged Walker, on 26, to drive to Jonathan Bairstow at deep mid-wicket.

But Bopara continued to flourish and reached the tea interval just 12 runs short of his century, easing his side towards a satisfactory position after they had lost three wickets in the morning session.

Steve Patterson claimed Alastair Cook for 44 and Tom Westley for six, while Jaik Mickleburgh became the first of Rashid’s two wickets when he was bowled for 38.