Ben Stokes Takes 6 Wickets in England Test Series Warm-up
Practice match, Perth venue (day one of three)
England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: still to bat
The England captain produced 6 scalps in his initial appearance following July but the tourists faced an injury concern about Mark Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up against England Lions in Perth.
Captain's Impressive Comeback
Stokes, making his comeback after almost four months out with a shoulder problem, bowled sixteen overs across three spells for his 6-52 against England Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Injury Concern
Fast bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on Friday.
The Wood situation sucked the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an uncontested toss at the venue.
Team Planning
England aimed to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on November 21st.
In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Performance Highlights
Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be selected during the series by swiping eighty-four.
McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Potts also made fifties.
Low-key Environment
The team's plan to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but Stokes hit back by labeling the critics "has-beens".
A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly a world away from what England will face at a packed Optus Stadium next week.
Stokes Supreme Return
Stokes was superb in the series against India in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He was absent from the last match with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not managed a complete participation in any of the team's past four tours because of different fitness issues and the tourists' hopes of winning back the series are vastly diminished if he is absent from any of the five matches in Australia.
He has been bowling at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.
Jacks Strengthens Claim
Will Jacks is not expected to play in the opening match – England look to have revealed their hand with the XI named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead 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 fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.
Carse missed the opening day because of illness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney caught behind just after the break.
Although the captain took the scalps, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Will Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an economy of over eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.
