Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in English Ashes Warm-up
Practice game, Lilac Hill (first day of three)
Development squad 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
England XI: yet to bat
The England captain delivered 6 scalps in his return to play since July but the tourists encountered an fitness worry about Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Perth.
Skipper's Outstanding Return
Stokes, returning after nearly four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered sixteen overs across three spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – all to catches on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Injury Worry
Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months away with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of 8 overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on Friday.
Wood's injury sucked the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Strategy
England wanted to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st.
In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and left off-spinner 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 boosted his credentials to be selected later in the tour by hitting 84.
Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Potts also made half-centuries.
Relaxed Atmosphere
England's decision to play a single practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but the captain responded by calling the critics "past players".
A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of fans at the ground was certainly a different experience from what England will encounter at a sold-out main stadium the following week.
Stokes Excellent Return
The captain was excellent in the contest against India in the domestic season, only to push 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 series because of different fitness issues and the tourists' chances of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five matches in Australia.
He has been bowling at full pace 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.
Jacks Pushes Claim
Will Jacks is not expected to play in the opening match – England look to have revealed their intentions with the XI named here. Still, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.
Brydon Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Though the captain took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.
In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was asked to bowl fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, costing 117 runs at an run rate of over eight.
Joe Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Fisher somehow struck a full toss to mid-on before Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.
