Stokes Takes Six Scalps in English Ashes Warm-up
Practice match, Perth venue (day one of 3)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
England XI: still to bat
The England captain delivered six wickets in his first action after July but England faced an injury concern regarding Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against England Lions in Perth.
Skipper's Impressive Return
Stokes, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Concern
Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee injury, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on the following day.
The Wood situation sucked the energy out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Planning
England wanted to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on November 21st.
In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Highlights
Bethell failed to press his case for selection in the Test team, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his claim to be selected later in the tour by scoring 84.
Ben McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries.
Relaxed Environment
The team's decision to play a single practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but Stokes hit back by calling the doubters "past players".
A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what the team will encounter at a packed Optus Stadium next week.
Stokes Supreme Performance
Stokes was superb in the contest against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to injury. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not completed a full part in any of England's past four series because of different fitness issues and the team's chances of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five Tests in the host country.
He has been bowling at maximum speed for two months and appeared in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were presented.
Will Jacks Strengthens Claim
Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven selected here. Still, he may have nudged himself in front of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.
Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Though Stokes took the scalps, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an run rate of over eight.
Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to mid-on before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.
