Ben Stokes Secures Six Scalps in England Test Series Preparation Match

Practice match, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)

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

England XI: awaiting batting

Ben Stokes produced 6 scalps in his initial appearance following July but England faced an injury concern about Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus England Lions in Perth.

Stokes, returning after nearly four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 against England Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.

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

Wood's injury sucked the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at the venue.

The tourists aimed to field first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on November 21st.

In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus Stokes – and left off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.

Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by scoring eighty-four.

McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties.

The team's decision to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but the captain responded by labeling the critics "former players".

A relaxed first 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.

The captain 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 last match with a torn shoulder.

The skipper has not managed a full part in any of England's past four series because of various injuries and the tourists' hopes of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.

He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and looked in fine shape on Wednesday, 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 intentions with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

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.

Carse was absent from the opening day because of illness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener McKinney caught behind just after the break.

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

In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to bowl fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an run rate of more than eight.

Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher unexpectedly struck a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.