Stokes Secures Six Scalps in English Test Series Preparation Match

Tour match, Perth venue (first day of 3)

Development squad 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52

England XI: awaiting batting

Ben Stokes produced 6 scalps in his return to play following July but England encountered an injury concern about Mark Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus England Lions in Perth.

Stokes, making his comeback after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 against England Lions – each to catches taken on the on-side.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months out with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on Friday.

The Wood situation 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.

England wanted to field first to get overs in their legs before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on 21 November.

In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the development squad.

Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Jacks enhanced his claim to be selected later in the tour by swiping 84.

McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Matthew Potts also scored half-centuries.

England's decision to play a single practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some former players but Stokes responded by labeling the doubters "past players".

A low-pressure opening day in front of a small crowd of fans at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what the team will encounter at a sold-out main stadium next week.

The captain was superb in the contest 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 skipper has not managed a full part in any of England's previous four tours because of different fitness issues and the team's chances of regaining the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.

He has been bowling at full pace for 60 days and looked in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were presented.

Jacks is unlikely to feature in the opening match – England look to have revealed their hand with the XI named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.

Even before the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.

Carse missed the opening day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.

Although Stokes took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the new ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Jacks.

In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Joe Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, conceding 117 runs at an economy of over eight.

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