Ben Stokes Secures 6 Scalps in English Ashes Preparation Match
Practice game, Perth venue (first day of three)
Development squad 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: still to bat
Ben Stokes delivered six wickets in his first action since July but the tourists encountered an injury concern about Mark Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up against the development squad in Perth.
Skipper's Impressive Comeback
The England captain, making his comeback after nearly four months out with a shoulder problem, bowled sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against the Lions – each to catches on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Injury Concern
Pace bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on Friday.
The Wood situation drained the energy out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an automatic toss at the venue.
Team Planning
The tourists aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, beginning on 21 November.
In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and left off-spinner Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Performance Standouts
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon later in the tour by scoring 84.
Ben McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also made fifties.
Relaxed Environment
England's decision to play a single practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but the captain hit back by calling the critics "past players".
A relaxed opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what the team will encounter at a packed Optus Stadium next week.
Stokes Supreme Return
The captain was superb in the contest against the Indian team in the home summer, only to strain himself to injury. He missed the last match with a shoulder tear.
The skipper has not managed a full part in any of England's previous four tours because of different fitness issues and the team's chances of regaining the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.
He has been practicing 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 dismissals were gifted.
Jacks Strengthens Claim
Jacks is unlikely to play in the opening match – England look to have revealed their hand with the eleven named here. Still, 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 Mark Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the attack for the first Test.
Brydon Carse missed the opening day because of sickness, with his place going to Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Although Stokes took the scalps, Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Will Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, conceding 117 at an economy of more than eight.
Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Fisher somehow hit a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.
