STEVE Patterson led the way with four wickets on an impressive bowling day against Leicestershire at the Fischer County Ground, Grace Road.

But there was a significant injury scare for Matthew Fisher, who left the field after bowling just two overs with the new ball holding his side.

Fisher, 20, has returned home to Leeds for further assessment, and he is a significant doubt for Friday’s County Championship opener against Essex at Emerald Headingley.

Add in the news that David Willey was a late withdrawal from this match and is set to join Liam Plunkett at the Indian Premier League, and Andrew Gale’s embarrassment of riches in the seam bowling department has changed significantly over the last three days.

On day one of this two-day clash, Leicestershire were restricted to 139-8 from 50 overs, with Yorkshire closing on 38-0 from 11.1.

Rain curtailed Yorkshire’s first day of match action on English soil this summer, and there was no play possible beyond 3.30pm.

But at least there was time for Patterson to return 4-23 from 12 overs added to two wickets apiece for Jack Brooks and Josh Shaw.

"The main thing for us was to get out on grass and get some overs under the belt,” said Patterson.

“It's been a very frustrating two or three weeks since we came back from South Africa. We did some great work there.

“Just to get out there and get 50 overs in the field was pleasing.

"To get wickets at any stage of the season is nice. But, at the moment, it was more important to get some overs under the belt so that come the weekend we're ready as bowlers.”

On the recent wet weather, Patterson added: “It has been disruptive and particularly tough on Galey because he’s made some really good plans for how we’re going to train and prepare only to have to change them almost daily.

“But everybody’s tried to stay relaxed about it and understand we’re at the mercy of the gods. Yes, we’ve been inside more than we’d like to be, but that’s life.”

Patterson made the breakthrough in the 15th over of the day when he uprooted Paul Horton’s off-stump before getting Neil Dexter caught at slip and Michael Carberry behind as the hosts slipped from 25-0 to 52-3.

He later had Tom Taylor caught behind as the Foxes slipped to 131-8.

Sandwiched in between, Brooks struck twice and Shaw, a late replacement in the team for Willey, did likewise on a green-tinged largely slow pitch.

Adam Lyth, who later hit five fours in 27 not out, helped Shaw get rid of home seamer Gavin Griffiths with a stunning one-handed catch at third slip diving to his right.

Lyth then hit the first and fifth balls of Yorkshire’s innings off Griffiths for four, with three successive lbw shouts in between.

Opening partner Alex Lees was unbeaten on two when the umpires called a halt to proceedings.

They had played through rain for much of the afternoon session, but decided enough was enough shortly before 3.30pm.

At the start of play, the plan was for both sides to bat and bowl for 50 overs each on both days. The weather may well bring about a second day rethink.