Stokes Claims Six Scalps in England Test Series Warm-up
Practice match, Perth venue (first day of three)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
National team: yet to bat
The England captain produced six wickets in his first action since July but the tourists faced an injury concern regarding Mark Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Western Australia.
Captain's Outstanding Return
Stokes, returning after approximately four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 against the Lions – each to catches on the on-side.
Wood's Fitness Worry
Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months out with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on the following day.
Wood's injury removed the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at the venue.
Team Strategy
England aimed to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, starting on 21 November.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus Stokes – and left off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Highlights
Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by swiping 84.
McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Potts also scored fifties.
Relaxed Environment
England's decision to play a solitary warm-up game against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes hit back by calling the critics "former players".
A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was certainly a world away from what the team will encounter at a packed main stadium next week.
Stokes Supreme Return
Stokes was superb in the contest against India in the domestic season, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the last match with a shoulder tear.
The skipper has not managed a complete participation in any of the team's previous four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' hopes of winning back the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five Tests 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 believe the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Jacks Strengthens Case
Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the first Test – England look to have revealed their intentions with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the doubt over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.
Brydon Carse missed the opening day because of illness, with his place going to Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.
Though Stokes took the scalps, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Joe Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an economy of over eight.
Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher unexpectedly struck a full toss to mid-on before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.
