Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in England Test Series Preparation Match

Practice game, Perth venue (day one of 3)

England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52

England XI: yet to bat

Ben Stokes produced 6 scalps in his initial appearance since July but England encountered an fitness worry regarding fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up against England Lions in Perth.

Stokes, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – each to catches taken on the leg side.

Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months out with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of 8 overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on Friday.

Wood's injury sucked the intensity out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow track after an automatic toss at the venue.

England aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on 21 November.

In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and left spin bowler Bashir in the development squad.

Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by hitting eighty-four.

McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Potts also made fifties.

England's plan to play a single practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes responded by labeling the doubters "past players".

A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was certainly a different experience from what the team will face at a packed Optus Stadium next week.

Stokes was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the last match with a shoulder tear.

The skipper has not managed a full part in any of England's previous four series because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.

He has been bowling at full pace for two months and looked in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.

Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – England look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.

Even before the concern over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.

Carse missed the opening day because of illness, with his place going to Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.

Though Stokes took the scalps, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.

In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was required to deliver 14 overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, conceding 117 at an run rate of more than eight.

Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Fisher somehow struck a full toss to the fielder before Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.