Stokes Secures Six Wickets in English Ashes Warm-up
Tour match, Perth venue (day one of 3)
England Lions 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: yet to bat
Ben Stokes achieved six wickets in his initial appearance after July but the tourists encountered an injury concern involving Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Perth.
Skipper's Outstanding Comeback
Stokes, making his comeback after nearly four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 against the Lions – each to catches on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Concern
Pace bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after nine months out with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on Friday.
Wood's injury sucked the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at the venue.
Squad Planning
England aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, beginning on 21 November.
In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the tourists fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Standouts
Bethell failed to press his case for selection in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be selected during the series by hitting eighty-four.
Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Potts also scored fifties.
Relaxed Atmosphere
England's plan to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some ex-players but the captain responded by labeling the doubters "past players".
A low-pressure opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what England will encounter at a packed main stadium the following week.
Stokes Supreme Return
The captain was excellent in the contest against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The captain has not managed a complete participation in any of England's previous four tours because of various injuries and the team's chances of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five Tests in Australia.
He has been practicing at maximum speed for two months and looked in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were presented.
Will Jacks Pushes Claim
Will Jacks is not expected to play in the opening match – England look to have revealed their hand with the XI selected here. Still, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Prior to 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.
Brydon Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Though Stokes took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Root was required to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 runs at an run rate of over eight.
Root at least took a scalp in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full toss to the fielder before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.