Stokes Secures 6 Wickets in English Test Series Preparation Match

Practice game, Perth venue (first day of 3)

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

National team: still to bat

Ben Stokes delivered 6 scalps in his initial appearance since July but the tourists encountered an fitness worry about Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up against England Lions in Western Australia.

The England captain, returning after approximately four months out with a shoulder problem, bowled sixteen overs across three spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – all to catches taken on the leg side.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee injury, bowled a scheduled amount of 8 overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on the following day.

Wood's injury drained 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.

The tourists aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, starting on November 21st.

In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected during the series by hitting 84.

McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties.

The team's plan to play a single warm-up game against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but the captain hit back by calling the doubters "has-beens".

A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was certainly a different experience from what England will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.

Stokes was excellent in the series against India in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder.

The skipper has not managed a complete participation in any of England's previous four tours because of different fitness issues and the tourists' chances of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.

He has been bowling 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 wickets were gifted.

Will Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their hand with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Even before the concern over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this match 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. Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after the break.

Although Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks.

In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Joe Root was asked to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an economy of more than eight.

Joe Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher unexpectedly struck a full toss to mid-on before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.