Stokes Claims 6 Scalps in English Test Series Warm-up
Practice match, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
England XI: still to bat
The England captain delivered six wickets in his first action since July but England faced an fitness worry regarding fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Perth.
Captain's Impressive Comeback
The England captain, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – all to catches on the on-side.
Wood's Injury Worry
Pace bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months out with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on Friday.
Wood's injury sucked the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow track after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Strategy
The tourists wanted to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on 21 November.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and left off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Standouts
Jacob Bethell failed to press his case for selection in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected during the series by hitting 84.
McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Potts also scored fifties.
Relaxed Environment
England's plan to play a single practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but Stokes hit back by calling the critics "has-beens".
A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was definitely a world away from what England will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.
Stokes Excellent Return
Stokes was superb in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The captain has not completed a full part in any of the team's past four tours because of different fitness issues and the tourists' chances of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in the host country.
He has been practicing at full pace for 60 days and appeared in good condition on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were presented.
Will Jacks Pushes Claim
Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their hand with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Even before the concern over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.
Brydon Carse missed the opening day because of sickness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Though Stokes took the scalps, Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the new ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was required to bowl fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an run rate of over eight.
Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to mid-on before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.