Ravi Bopara provided the headline performance as Essex finished the opening day of the County Championship contest against Division One leaders Yorkshire well set on 353-6 at Chelmsford.

With an England batting place up for grabs for the forthcoming Test series against Pakistan following the injury to Ian Bell, Bopara chose a timely moment to push his claims for selection.

He struck a scintillating 142 off 193 balls that included 19 boundaries on a pitch that favoured the batsmen throughout.

Having lost the toss, Yorkshire’s bowlers were made to toil for much of the morning session until a seven-over spell just before lunch gave them the initiative.

Adil Rashid found the breakthrough when Jaik Mickleburgh failed to contend with a googly and was bowled for 38, having put on 97 with Alastair Cook for the first wicket.

Without addition, Cook then chased a wide delivery from Steve Patterson and was caught behind by Gerard Brophy for 44.

The same bowler added another wicket when he trapped Tom Westley in the crease for six to leave the hosts 120-3 at the interval.

But the post-lunch session was dominated by Bopara and Matt Walker, who added 80 in 29 overs before Rashid again came up trumps.

He had Walker well caught by Jonny Bairstow at deep mid-wicket for 26, only for James Foster to join Bopara in an entertaining partnership.

Despite regular bowling changes orchestrated by skipper Andrew Gale, the pair offered little encouragement for the bowlers as they posted 124 in 26 overs.

Foster was finally caught at deep square leg for 61 by Patterson off Oliver Hannon-Dalby to leave Essex on 324-5.

But Bopara continued to play freely with superb timing until he pulled Tino Best to deep mid-wicket and was caught by Rashid late in the day.