Ben Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in English Ashes Preparation Match
Practice game, Lilac Hill (day one of three)
England Lions 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: still to bat
Ben Stokes achieved six wickets in his return to play following July but England faced an fitness worry about Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Perth.
Skipper's Impressive Return
Stokes, making his comeback after almost four months out with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side.
Wood's Injury Concern
Pace bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after nine months away with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number of eight overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will undergo scanning on Friday.
Wood's injury sucked the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a slow, low surface after an automatic toss at the venue.
Team Strategy
The tourists wanted to field first to get overs in their legs before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, beginning on 21 November.
In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus Stokes – and left spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Highlights
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by hitting 84.
Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Potts also made half-centuries.
Low-key Environment
The team's decision to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some former players but the captain responded by calling the critics "former players".
A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what England will encounter at a sold-out main stadium next week.
Stokes Supreme Performance
The captain was excellent 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 managed a full part in any of the team's previous four series because of different fitness issues and the team's hopes 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 appeared in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Jacks Pushes Case
Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – England look to have revealed their hand with the XI named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Jacob 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 match may not have been the attack for the first Test.
Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his place going to Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Though the captain took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the new ball and again after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 runs at an economy of over eight.
Joe Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher unexpectedly struck a full delivery to the fielder before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.
