Stokes Claims 6 Scalps in English Test Series Preparation Match
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
Ben Stokes produced six wickets in his first action after July but England faced an fitness worry about fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Perth.
Captain's Impressive Return
Stokes, making his comeback after approximately four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus England Lions – each to catches taken on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Concern
Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months out with a knee injury, bowled a scheduled amount of 8 overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on Friday.
The Wood situation drained the energy out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Strategy
England aimed to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, starting on 21 November.
In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the tourists fielded an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Highlights
Bethell failed to press his case for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Jacks enhanced his claim to be selected during the series by swiping eighty-four.
McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties.
Relaxed Environment
England's decision to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some former players but the captain responded by calling the critics "former players".
A low-pressure first day in front of a small crowd of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a different experience from what England will face at a packed Optus Stadium next week.
Captain's Excellent Return
Stokes was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to strain himself to injury. He missed the last match with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not completed a full part in any of England's previous four series because of various injuries and the team's hopes of winning back 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 two months and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Jacks Pushes Claim
Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – the team look to have shown their intentions with the eleven named here. Still, he may have nudged himself in front of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Even before the doubt over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the attack for the first Test.
Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Though Stokes took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, costing 117 at an economy of more than eight.
Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to mid-on before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.
