Ben Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in English Ashes Warm-up
Tour game, Perth venue (day one of 3)
Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: awaiting batting
The England captain delivered 6 scalps in his initial appearance since July but the tourists faced an fitness worry about fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Western Australia.
Skipper's Outstanding Return
The England captain, making his comeback after approximately four months away with a shoulder injury, bowled sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 versus England Lions – each to catches taken on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Injury Concern
Pace bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee injury, 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 removed the energy out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at the venue.
Squad Strategy
England wanted to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on November 21st.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialists plus Stokes – and left spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Standouts
Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon during the series by swiping 84.
McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties.
Relaxed Atmosphere
The team's plan to play a single practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but Stokes hit back by labeling the doubters "has-beens".
A low-pressure first day in front of a small crowd of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a different experience from what the team will encounter at a packed main stadium next week.
Stokes Supreme Performance
Stokes was excellent in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the last match with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not completed a full part in any of the team's previous four series because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of regaining the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in Australia.
He has been practicing at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were presented.
Will Jacks Strengthens Claim
Will Jacks is unlikely to play in the opening match – England look to have revealed their intentions with the XI named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Prior to the concern over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.
Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his position going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.
Although Stokes took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the fresh ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was asked to deliver 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an run rate of more than eight.
Root at least took a scalp in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.
