Ben Stokes Secures Six Scalps in English Test Series Warm-up
Practice match, Perth venue (day one of three)
Development squad 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: still to bat
The England captain produced 6 scalps in his initial appearance since July but the tourists encountered an fitness worry regarding fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation against England Lions in Perth.
Skipper's Outstanding Return
Stokes, returning after nearly four months out with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – each to catches taken on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Injury Worry
Pace bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after nine months out with a knee injury, bowled a scheduled amount of eight overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on the following day.
The Wood situation removed the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Strategy
England aimed to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on 21 November.
In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus Stokes – and left spin bowler Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Standouts
Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon during the series by scoring 84.
McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties.
Relaxed Environment
England's decision to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by labeling the doubters "former players".
A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of spectators at the ground was certainly a different experience from what England will encounter at a packed main stadium next week.
Stokes Supreme Performance
The captain was superb in the contest against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the last match with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not managed a full part in any of England's past four tours because of different fitness issues and the team's 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 maximum speed for two months and looked in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.
Jacks Pushes Claim
Will Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the XI named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.
Brydon Carse was absent from the first day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Though the captain took the scalps, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Will Jacks.
In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an run rate of over eight.
Root at least took a scalp in the final session when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
