Ben Stokes Claims 6 Scalps in English Test Series Warm-up

Tour match, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)

England Lions 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52

England XI: awaiting batting

Ben Stokes delivered six wickets in his first action following July but England faced an fitness worry regarding fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Perth.

Stokes, making his comeback after approximately four months out with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – all to catches on the leg side.

Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after nine months out with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on Friday.

The Wood situation sucked the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an uncontested toss at the venue.

The tourists aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on November 21st.

In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and left spin bowler Bashir in the development squad.

Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon during the series by hitting eighty-four.

Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties.

The team's decision to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but the captain responded by labeling the doubters "former players".

A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly a world away from what the team will encounter at a packed Optus Stadium the following week.

The captain was excellent in the series against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.

The skipper has not completed a complete participation in any of England's past four series because of various injuries and the team's chances of winning back the series are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.

He has been practicing at full pace for 60 days and appeared in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were presented.

Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the first Test – the team look to have shown their intentions with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.

Even before the concern over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this game may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.

Carse was absent from the opening day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener McKinney caught behind just after lunch.

Although the captain took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks.

In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to deliver fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, costing 117 at an run rate of over eight.

Joe Root at least took a scalp in the final session when Matt Fisher somehow struck a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.