Ben Stokes Takes Six Wickets in English Ashes Warm-up
Tour match, Perth venue (day one of 3)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52
National team: awaiting batting
The England captain delivered 6 scalps in his first action after July but England faced an injury concern involving Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against the development squad in Western Australia.
Skipper's Outstanding Return
The England captain, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – each to catches on the leg side.
Mark Wood's Fitness Concern
Fast bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch 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 three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Planning
The tourists aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at the main venue, starting on 21 November.
In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and left off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Standouts
Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by swiping eighty-four.
McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties.
Relaxed Environment
England's plan to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but Stokes responded by labeling the critics "has-beens".
A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at the ground was certainly a world away from what England will encounter at a packed Optus Stadium the following week.
Captain's Excellent Performance
The captain was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the last match with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not completed a full part in any of England's previous 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 matches in the host country.
He has been practicing at maximum speed for two months and looked in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Will Jacks Strengthens Case
Will Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – England look to have shown their intentions with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Even before the doubt over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the England XI for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.
Brydon Carse was absent from the opening day because of illness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.
Though Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was asked to bowl fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 runs at an economy of more than eight.
Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.