Stokes Secures Six Scalps in English Ashes Warm-up
Tour match, Perth venue (day one of 3)
England Lions 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
England XI: awaiting batting
Ben Stokes produced six wickets in his initial appearance after July but England faced an injury concern involving Mark Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Perth.
Captain's Outstanding Comeback
Stokes, making his comeback after almost four months out with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against the Lions – all to catches on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Concern
Pace bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after nine months away with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will undergo scanning on Friday.
The Wood situation drained the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a slow, low surface after an automatic toss at the venue.
Squad Strategy
England wanted to field 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 tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Highlights
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for selection in the Test side, making just two runs, but Will Jacks enhanced his claim to be selected during the series by swiping eighty-four.
Ben McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties.
Low-key Environment
England's decision to play a single practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes responded by calling the doubters "former players".
A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly a world away from what England will encounter at a sold-out main stadium next week.
Stokes Excellent Performance
The captain was excellent in the series against India in the domestic season, only to push himself to injury. He was absent from the last match with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not managed a full part in any of the team's previous four series 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 Australia.
He has been bowling at maximum speed for two months and looked in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Will Jacks Pushes Claim
Will Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their hand with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Prior to the doubt over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the initial match.
Brydon Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after the break.
Though the captain took the scalps, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an run rate of more than eight.
Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow struck a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
