Stokes Claims Six Scalps in English Test Series Preparation Match
Practice match, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)
England Lions 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
National team: still to bat
Ben Stokes achieved 6 scalps in his initial appearance since July but England faced an injury concern involving fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Perth.
Captain's Outstanding Return
The England captain, making his comeback after approximately four months out with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – all to catches on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Worry
Pace bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months out with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on the following day.
The Wood situation drained the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Planning
England aimed to bowl first to get overs in their legs before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on 21 November.
In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus Stokes – and left off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Standouts
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Jacks enhanced his claim to be called upon during the series by scoring 84.
Ben McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries.
Low-key Atmosphere
The team's decision to play a single practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but Stokes hit back by labeling the critics "has-beens".
A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what England will face at a sold-out main stadium the following week.
Stokes Excellent Performance
Stokes was superb in the series against India in the domestic season, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder.
The captain has not completed a complete participation in any of England's past four series because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five matches in the host country.
He has been bowling at full pace for two months and appeared in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were presented.
Jacks Pushes Claim
Will Jacks is not expected to feature in the opening match – England look to have revealed their hand with the XI named here. Still, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the concern over Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.
Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Although Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, conceding 117 runs at an run rate of more than eight.
Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.
