Stokes Claims 6 Scalps in England Test Series Preparation Match

Tour match, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)

England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52

England XI: still to bat

Ben Stokes achieved 6 scalps in his first action after July but the tourists faced an fitness worry regarding Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Perth.

The England captain, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against the Lions – each to catches taken on the on-side.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after nine months away with a knee injury, delivered a scheduled amount of 8 overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on the following day.

The Wood situation sucked the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an uncontested toss at the venue.

England wanted to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, beginning on 21 November.

In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the development squad.

Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected later in the tour by scoring 84.

Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties.

The team's plan to play a single practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes responded by calling the doubters "past players".

A low-pressure opening day in front of a small crowd of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly a world away from what England will encounter at a packed main stadium the following week.

Stokes was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.

The skipper has not managed a full part in any of the team's past four tours because of various injuries and the team's hopes of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.

He has been practicing at maximum speed for two months and appeared in good condition on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.

Jacks is unlikely to play in the opening match – England look to have revealed their hand with the eleven selected here. Still, he may have moved 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 Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.

Brydon Carse missed the opening day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.

Though the captain took the scalps, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the new ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks.

In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 runs at an economy of more than eight.

Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.