Ben Stokes Takes Six Scalps in English Ashes Preparation Match

Practice game, Lilac Hill (day one of 3)

England Lions 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52

England XI: still to bat

Ben Stokes achieved 6 scalps in his first action after July but England faced an injury concern about fast bowler Wood on the first 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 versus England Lions – each to catches taken on the on-side.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months away with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of 8 overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will undergo scanning on Friday.

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

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

In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Bashir in the development squad.

Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon during the series by swiping 84.

McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Potts also made half-centuries.

England's plan to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some ex-players but the captain responded by labeling the critics "has-beens".

A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a different experience from what the team will face at a packed Optus Stadium next 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 final Test with a shoulder tear.

The captain has not completed a complete participation in any of England's past four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of winning back the Ashes are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five matches in Australia.

He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and looked in good condition on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.

Will Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

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

Brydon Carse was absent from the first day because of illness, with his position going to Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.

Though the captain took the scalps, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks.

In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, conceding 117 runs at an economy of more than eight.

Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full toss to the fielder before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.