Ben Stokes Takes 6 Wickets in England Test Series Preparation Match
Tour match, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)
England Lions 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
National team: awaiting batting
Ben Stokes achieved six wickets in his return to play after July but England faced an injury concern involving fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up against the development squad in Perth.
Skipper's Outstanding Return
Stokes, making his comeback after nearly four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus England Lions – all to catches on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Injury Concern
Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on Friday.
The Wood situation sucked the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at the venue.
Squad Planning
England aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on November 21st.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus Stokes – and left off-spinner Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Standouts
Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his claim to be selected later in the tour by scoring 84.
Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also scored half-centuries.
Low-key Atmosphere
England's decision to play a solitary warm-up game against the development squad has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by calling the doubters "past players".
A relaxed opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at the ground was definitely a world away from what England will face at a packed main stadium the following week.
Stokes Excellent Performance
The captain was superb in the series against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to injury. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The captain has not completed a full part in any of the team's past four series because of different fitness issues and the tourists' chances of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five matches in the host country.
He has been practicing at full pace for two months and appeared in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Jacks Pushes Case
Will Jacks is not expected to feature in the opening match – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven selected here. Still, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.
Prior to the doubt over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this match may not have been the attack for the first Test.
Brydon Carse missed the opening day because of illness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after the break.
Although the captain took the scalps, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the new ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Root was required to bowl fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, costing 117 runs at an economy of over eight.
Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Fisher somehow hit a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
