Stokes Takes Six Wickets in England Ashes Warm-up
Practice game, Lilac Hill (day one of three)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
England XI: awaiting batting
The England captain achieved 6 scalps in his first action after July but England encountered an injury concern involving fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Western Australia.
Captain's Impressive Comeback
The England captain, making his comeback after approximately four months away with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – all to catches on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Concern
Pace bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months away with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on Friday.
Wood's injury drained the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue.
Squad Planning
The tourists wanted to field first to accumulate bowling time 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 all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and left off-spinner Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Performance Standouts
Bethell failed to press his case for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Jacks enhanced his claim to be selected later in the tour by swiping 84.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties.
Relaxed Environment
England's plan to play a single practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some former players but Stokes responded by calling the doubters "has-beens".
A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of fans at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what England will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium the following week.
Stokes Excellent Return
The captain was superb in the contest against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to strain himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.
The skipper has not managed a full part in any of England's past four tours because of different fitness issues and the team's hopes of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five matches in Australia.
He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and looked in good condition on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Will Jacks Pushes Claim
Jacks is unlikely to play in the opening match – England look to have shown their intentions with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, 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 game may not have been the attack for the first Test.
Carse was absent from the opening day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Although Stokes took the scalps, Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the omission of Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an economy of more than eight.
Joe Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly struck a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.
