Ben Stokes Claims 6 Wickets in England Ashes Warm-up
Tour game, Lilac Hill (first day of three)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
England XI: still to bat
The England captain produced 6 scalps in his initial appearance after July but England encountered an injury concern about Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus England Lions in Perth.
Captain's Outstanding Return
Stokes, returning after nearly four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus England Lions – all to catches on the leg side.
Wood's Injury Worry
Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on Friday.
The Wood situation sucked the energy out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Planning
England wanted to field first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, starting on November 21st.
In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Standouts
Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected during the series by swiping 84.
McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Potts also made fifties.
Relaxed Environment
England's plan to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some former players but Stokes responded by calling the doubters "past players".
A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what the team will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium the following week.
Stokes Supreme Performance
The captain was excellent in the contest against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not completed a full part in any of England's past four tours because of different fitness issues and the tourists' chances of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.
He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and appeared in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.
Jacks Strengthens Claim
Will Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – the team look to have shown their hand with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Even before the concern over Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the initial match.
Brydon Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.
Though the captain took the scalps, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was required to bowl fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, costing 117 at an run rate of over eight.
Joe Root at least took a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
