Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in England Test Series Warm-up
Tour game, Perth venue (first day of 3)
England Lions 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
England XI: awaiting batting
Ben Stokes delivered 6 scalps in his first action since July but the tourists encountered an fitness worry about Mark Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Perth.
Skipper's Impressive Return
Stokes, making his comeback after approximately four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two versus England Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side.
Wood's Injury Worry
Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months away with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on Friday.
Wood's injury drained the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow track after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Strategy
The tourists aimed to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on November 21st.
In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team selected an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Standouts
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon during the series by hitting eighty-four.
Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries.
Low-key Atmosphere
The team's decision to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some ex-players but the captain responded by calling the doubters "has-beens".
A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was definitely a different experience from what England will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.
Captain's Excellent Return
Stokes was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder.
The captain has not completed a complete participation in any of England's previous four series because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of winning back the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.
He has been practicing at maximum speed for two months and looked in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Will Jacks Strengthens Claim
Jacks is not expected to feature in the first Test – England look to have revealed their hand with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Prior to the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.
Brydon Carse missed the opening day because of sickness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Although the captain took the scalps, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the fresh ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.
In the omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Root was asked to bowl fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an run rate of more than eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a scalp in the final session when Matt Fisher unexpectedly struck a full delivery to the fielder before Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.