Stokes Claims Six Scalps in English Test Series Preparation Match

Practice match, Perth venue (day one of three)

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

England XI: awaiting batting

Ben Stokes achieved 6 scalps in his first action since July but the tourists faced an injury concern about fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Western Australia.

The England captain, returning 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.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on the following day.

The Wood situation removed the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.

The tourists aimed to field first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, beginning on November 21st.

In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists fielded an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks boosted his claim to be selected later in the tour by hitting 84.

McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Potts also made half-centuries.

The team's plan to play a single practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by labeling the critics "has-beens".

A low-pressure opening day in front of a small crowd of spectators at the ground was definitely a world away from what the team will encounter at a sold-out main stadium next week.

The captain was superb in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.

The skipper has not completed a full part in any of the team's past four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.

He has been bowling at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in good condition on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.

Will Jacks is not expected to feature in the first Test – England look to have shown their hand with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Prior to 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 first Test.

Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.

Though the captain took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.

In the omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Root was asked to bowl fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 runs at an run rate of over eight.

Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to the fielder before Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.