Ben Stokes Claims Six Wickets in England Ashes Warm-up
Tour match, Lilac Hill (first day of three)
England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
England XI: still to bat
Ben Stokes delivered 6 scalps in his initial appearance after July but the tourists faced an fitness worry regarding fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus England Lions in Perth.
Skipper's Outstanding Comeback
The England captain, returning after approximately four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – all to catches on the on-side.
Wood's Injury Concern
Pace bowler Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months away with a knee injury, bowled a scheduled amount of eight overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on Friday.
Wood's injury sucked the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at the venue.
Team Strategy
England wanted to field first to accumulate bowling time 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 fast bowling lineup – four specialist bowlers plus Stokes – and left spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Highlights
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon during the series by hitting 84.
McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also made half-centuries.
Low-key Atmosphere
The team's decision to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes responded by calling the critics "former players".
A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a different experience from what the team will encounter at a sold-out main stadium next week.
Stokes Supreme Return
The captain was superb in the contest against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not completed a complete participation in any of England's past four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of regaining the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five matches in Australia.
He has been bowling at full pace for two months and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Jacks Strengthens Case
Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – England look to have revealed their hand with the XI named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Even before the concern over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.
Carse was absent from 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.
Though the captain took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 runs at an economy of more than eight.
Root at least took a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher unexpectedly hit a full toss to mid-on before Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.
