Ben Stokes Takes Six Scalps in English Test Series Warm-up

Practice game, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)

Development squad 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52

England XI: awaiting batting

The England captain delivered six wickets in his first action following July but the tourists encountered an fitness worry regarding fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Western Australia.

Stokes, making his comeback after almost four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 against the Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side.

Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months out with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on the following day.

The Wood situation drained the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.

England wanted to field first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, beginning on 21 November.

In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists selected an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.

Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected during the series by swiping eighty-four.

Ben McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Potts also made fifties.

England's decision to play a solitary warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes responded by calling the critics "has-beens".

A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a different experience from what the team will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.

Stokes was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.

The skipper has not managed a complete participation in any of England's past four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.

He has been practicing at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were presented.

Will Jacks is not expected to feature in the first Test – England look to have revealed their hand with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Prior to the concern over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.

Carse missed the first day because of sickness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after the break.

Although Stokes took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and again after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks.

In the omission of Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was required to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, costing 117 runs at an run rate of more than eight.

Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.