Stokes Takes Six Scalps in England Ashes Warm-up

Tour game, Lilac Hill (first day of three)

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

National team: awaiting batting

Ben Stokes delivered 6 scalps in his return to play after July but the tourists encountered an fitness worry involving fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus England Lions in Perth.

The England captain, making his comeback after nearly four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered sixteen overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.

Pace bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after 9 months out with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of 8 overs before exiting the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will undergo scanning on Friday.

The Wood situation drained the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at the venue.

The tourists wanted to field first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on November 21st.

In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.

Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks enhanced his claim to be selected during the series by hitting 84.

McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also scored half-centuries.

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

A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly a world away from what England will encounter at a sold-out main stadium the following week.

The captain was superb in the series against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.

The captain has not completed a complete participation in any of England's past four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' hopes of winning back the series are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.

He has been practicing at full pace for two months and looked in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were presented.

Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the opening match – England look to have revealed their hand with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.

Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.

Carse was absent from the opening day because of illness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.

Although Stokes took the scalps, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the new ball and again after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.

In the absence of Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was required to bowl fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 runs at an economy of more than eight.

Root at least took a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow struck a full delivery to the fielder before Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.