Ben Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in England Ashes Preparation Match
Tour match, Perth venue (first day of 3)
England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
England XI: still to bat
The England captain produced 6 scalps in his return to play after July but England encountered an injury concern regarding Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Western Australia.
Captain's Outstanding Comeback
The England captain, making his comeback after approximately four months out with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – each to catches on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Concern
Pace bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after nine months away with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of 8 overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on Friday.
Wood's injury drained the intensity out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow track after an uncontested toss at the venue.
Squad Strategy
England aimed to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at the main venue, starting on 21 November.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and left spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Standouts
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Jacks enhanced his claim to be called upon later in the tour by hitting eighty-four.
Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties.
Low-key Atmosphere
The team's decision to play a single practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes responded by labeling the critics "former players".
A relaxed opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at Lilac Hill was definitely a different experience from what the team will face at a packed main stadium next week.
Stokes Supreme Return
Stokes was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to strain himself to breaking point. He was absent from the last match with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not managed a full part in any of England's previous four series because of various injuries and the tourists' hopes of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in Australia.
He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and looked in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were presented.
Jacks Strengthens Claim
Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – England look to have revealed their hand with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.
Prior to the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the attack for the first Test.
Brydon Carse missed the opening day because of illness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after the break.
Although the captain took the scalps, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the new ball and again after the interval, when he discomforted Will 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 over eight.
Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher somehow hit a full toss to mid-on before Archer bounced out Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.
