Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in English Ashes Warm-up
Tour match, Perth venue (first day of 3)
England Lions 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: yet to bat
Ben Stokes produced 6 scalps in his first action following July but the tourists faced an fitness worry involving fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Western Australia.
Skipper's Outstanding Return
Stokes, returning after approximately four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against the Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Injury Concern
Fast bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on Friday.
The Wood situation sucked the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an uncontested toss at the venue.
Squad Planning
England aimed to field first to get overs in their legs before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on November 21st.
In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Standouts
Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon during the series by scoring 84.
Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also made fifties.
Relaxed Environment
The team's decision to play a single warm-up game against the development squad has been criticized by some ex-players but the captain hit back by calling the critics "has-beens".
A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what England will face at a sold-out main stadium the following week.
Stokes Supreme Return
The captain was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to push himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not completed a full part in any of the team's previous four series because of different fitness issues and the tourists' hopes of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five Tests in the host country.
He has been practicing at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were presented.
Jacks Pushes Claim
Jacks is not expected to play in the opening match – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.
Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.
Brydon Carse was absent from the opening day because of illness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney caught behind just after the break.
Though Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Will Jacks.
In the omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an run rate of more than eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher somehow hit a full toss to mid-on before Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.
