Ben Stokes Takes Six Wickets in English Test Series Warm-up
Tour match, Perth venue (day one of 3)
Development squad 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
National team: awaiting batting
The England captain achieved 6 scalps in his return to play since July but the tourists faced an injury concern about Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Perth.
Captain's Outstanding Return
Stokes, making his comeback after nearly four months away with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – all to catches on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Injury Concern
Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of 8 overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on Friday.
Wood's injury removed the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two 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 the main venue, beginning on 21 November.
In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and omitted off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Performance Standouts
Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be selected later in the tour by hitting eighty-four.
Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Potts also made fifties.
Relaxed Environment
The team's plan to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but Stokes responded by calling the critics "has-beens".
A low-pressure first day in front of a small crowd of fans at Lilac Hill was definitely a different experience from what the team will encounter at a packed main stadium the following week.
Stokes Excellent Return
The captain was excellent in the series against India in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He missed the last match with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not completed a full part in any of England's past four series because of different fitness issues and the tourists' chances of regaining the Ashes 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 dismissals were gifted.
Will Jacks Strengthens Case
Jacks is unlikely to play in the opening match – England look to have shown their hand with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the out-of-sorts Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Prior to the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the first Test.
Carse was absent from the first day because of illness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Josh 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 new ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Joe Root was required to deliver 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an run rate of more than eight.
Joe Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow struck a full toss to the fielder before Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.
