Stokes Takes Six Scalps in England Ashes Preparation Match

Practice match, Perth venue (first day of three)

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

National team: awaiting batting

Ben Stokes achieved six wickets in his initial appearance following July but England faced an injury concern regarding Mark Wood on the first day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Western Australia.

Stokes, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 against the Lions – all to catches on the on-side.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on Friday.

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

England wanted to field first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st.

In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the development squad.

Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon during the series by hitting eighty-four.

McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries.

England's plan to play a solitary warm-up game against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but Stokes hit back by labeling the critics "former players".

A relaxed opening day in front of a small crowd of spectators at the ground was certainly a different experience from what England will encounter at a packed Optus Stadium next week.

Stokes was excellent in the contest against India in the domestic season, only to push himself to breaking point. He was absent from the last match with a shoulder tear.

The skipper has not managed a full part in any of England's previous four tours because of different fitness issues and the team's hopes of winning back the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five matches in Australia.

He has been practicing at maximum speed for two months and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.

Jacks is unlikely to feature in the opening match – the team look to have shown their hand with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Prior to the doubt over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.

Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener McKinney caught behind just after the break.

Although the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.

In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, conceding 117 runs at an economy of more than eight.

Joe Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full toss to mid-on before Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.