Stokes Claims 6 Wickets in England Ashes Warm-up
Tour game, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)
England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
England XI: awaiting batting
The England captain produced 6 scalps in his first action after July but England encountered an fitness worry regarding fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Western Australia.
Captain's Impressive Return
Stokes, returning after approximately four months out with a shoulder problem, bowled sixteen overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two against the Lions – each to catches on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Injury Worry
Pace bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on the following day.
Wood's injury removed the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow track after an automatic toss at the venue.
Team Planning
England aimed to field first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on 21 November.
In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Standouts
Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected during the series by hitting eighty-four.
Ben McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties.
Low-key Environment
The team's plan to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but the captain hit back by calling the doubters "former players".
A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly a world away from what the team will face at a packed Optus Stadium the following week.
Captain's Supreme Return
The captain was excellent in the contest against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder.
The captain has not managed a complete participation in any of England's previous four series because of various injuries and the tourists' hopes of winning back the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.
He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and looked in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.
Jacks Strengthens Case
Jacks is not expected to play in the opening match – England look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven named here. Still, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.
Carse missed the opening day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.
Though Stokes took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was required to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an economy of over eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.