Stokes Claims Six Scalps in English Test Series Warm-up

Practice match, Lilac Hill (first day of three)

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

England XI: awaiting batting

Ben Stokes achieved 6 scalps in his return to play following July but the tourists encountered an injury concern about Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up against the development squad in Perth.

The England captain, making his comeback after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered sixteen overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two against the Lions – each to catches on the leg side.

Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months away with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of 8 overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on the following day.

The Wood situation drained the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at the venue.

England aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on 21 November.

In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.

Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon during the series by swiping 84.

Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties.

The team's decision to play a single warm-up game against the development squad has been questioned by some former players but Stokes responded by labeling the doubters "former players".

A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was certainly a different experience from what England will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium the following week.

Stokes was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the last match with a shoulder tear.

The skipper has not managed a complete participation in any of the team's past four tours because of various injuries and the team's hopes of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five matches in Australia.

He has been practicing at maximum speed for two months and looked in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were presented.

Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the opening match – England look to have shown their intentions with the XI named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Jacob 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 team lineup for this game may not have been the attack for the initial match.

Brydon Carse missed the opening day because of sickness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.

Although the captain took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the new ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks.

In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to deliver 14 overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, costing 117 at an run rate of more than eight.

Joe Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher unexpectedly struck a full delivery to mid-on before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.