Ashes hopeful Westley faces anxious wait over hand injury

A blow on the hand while representing Essex could prove damaging to Tom Westley's prospects of featuring in the Ashes.

Tom Westley faces an anxious wait to learn the extent of a hand injury that could hinder his hopes of representing England against Australia in the Ashes.

Westley made a fifty on his Test debut against South Africa in July and scored an unbeaten 44 to help Joe Root's side complete a 2-1 series victory over West Indies with a resounding nine-wicket win at Lord's this month.

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The 28-year-old is expected to be included when England's touring squad for the matches Down Under is announced on Wednesday, but suffered an injury scare while representing Essex against Yorkshire in the County Championship on Monday.

Westley was out for 13 when he gloved a bouncer from Steven Patterson to Adam Lyth at second slip, shaking his hand in pain before the catch was taken.

The top-order batsman then reportedly ran from the field straight to the medical room.

Should the injury be sufficient to limit Westley's involvement in the Ashes, which get underway on November 23, it will be a serious blow for England.

England has struggled for consistency higher up the order, with the top four managing just a combined 20 runs in the first innings of the third Test against West Indies.