Stokes Claims 6 Scalps in England Ashes Warm-up
Tour match, Lilac Hill (first day of three)
England Lions 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
England XI: still to bat
The England captain delivered 6 scalps in his first action after July but the tourists encountered an injury concern regarding Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Western Australia.
Captain's Outstanding Return
The England captain, making his comeback after nearly four months away with a shoulder injury, bowled sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus England Lions – each to catches taken on the on-side.
Wood's Fitness Worry
Pace bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after nine months away with a knee injury, bowled a scheduled amount 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 dismissed for 382 on a slow, low surface after an automatic toss at the venue.
Squad Strategy
The tourists aimed to field first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, beginning on 21 November.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus Stokes – and left spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Highlights
Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be selected later in the tour by swiping 84.
Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties.
Relaxed Environment
The team's decision to play a single practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but Stokes hit back by calling the doubters "former players".
A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly a world away from what England will face at a packed Optus Stadium next week.
Stokes Supreme Return
The captain was superb in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not managed a full part in any of England's previous four series because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five matches in the host country.
He has been bowling at maximum speed for two months and appeared in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Will Jacks Strengthens Claim
Jacks is not expected to play in the opening match – the team look to have shown their intentions with the XI named here. Still, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Even before the concern over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers 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 place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney caught behind just after the break.
Although Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.
In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an run rate of over eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly struck a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.
