Ben Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in English Test Series Warm-up
Tour game, Perth venue (first day of 3)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
National team: awaiting batting
Ben Stokes delivered six wickets in his first action following July but the tourists encountered an injury concern involving Mark Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Perth.
Skipper's Outstanding Comeback
Stokes, returning after approximately four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Injury Worry
Pace bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee injury, delivered a scheduled amount of 8 overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will undergo scanning on the following day.
The Wood situation drained the energy out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow track after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Planning
The tourists aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match 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 off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Highlights
Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be selected later in the tour by swiping 84.
McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties.
Relaxed Atmosphere
England's plan to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but the captain hit back by labeling the critics "past players".
A relaxed opening day in front of a small crowd of spectators at the ground was certainly a world away from what England will face at a packed main stadium the following week.
Stokes Excellent Return
The captain was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to push himself to injury. He missed the final Test with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not completed a complete participation in any of England's past four tours because of various injuries and the team's chances of winning back the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five Tests in Australia.
He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and appeared in good condition on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.
Jacks Pushes Claim
Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the first Test – England look to have shown their intentions with the eleven selected here. Still, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.
Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.
Carse was absent from the opening day because of illness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after the break.
Though Stokes took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the omission of Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to bowl fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an economy of over eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
