Essex vice-captain Tom Westley was out for 25 runs as he made his England Test debut against South Africa.

Westley, who was handed his first cap by Essex and England legend Graham Gooch before play got underway, was brought into the side after Gary Ballance was ruled out through injury.

And after opening batsman Keaton Jennings was out for a duck early on at the Oval, Westley joined Essex team-mate Alastair Cook at the crease.

Westley began well, as he hit four boundaries to take himself up to 16 runs early on, and earned praise from former England Test captains Geoffrey Boycott and Michael Vaughan, who were commentating on the opening day of the third Test match for BBC Radio 5 Live.

And the Essex pairing, who have appeared together at the Chelmsford crease on numerous occasions throughout their careers, steadied the ship following the loss of Jennings.

Cook and Westley then registered a 50 partnership shortly before rain forced an early lunch to be called.

But shortly after the game’s resumption, Westley’s wicket was taken.

The 28-year-old edged a Chris Morris delivery and was caught at second slip by the diving South African skipper Faf du Plessis.