Stokes Secures Six Scalps in English Test Series Warm-up

Tour match, Lilac Hill (day one of 3)

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

England XI: still to bat

The England captain achieved 6 scalps in his return to play since July but England encountered an fitness worry regarding fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up against England Lions in Western Australia.

Stokes, making his comeback after approximately four months out with a shoulder injury, bowled 16 overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two versus England Lions – all to catches on the on-side.

Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on Friday.

Wood's injury sucked the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a slow, low surface after an automatic toss at the venue.

The tourists aimed to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, starting on November 21st.

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

Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for selection in the Test side, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his credentials to be called upon during the series by hitting eighty-four.

McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Potts also made half-centuries.

England's plan to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but the captain responded by labeling the doubters "has-beens".

A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was definitely a different experience from what England will face at a packed Optus Stadium the following week.

The captain was superb in the contest against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a shoulder tear.

The captain has not managed a full part 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 is absent from any of the five matches in Australia.

He has been practicing at maximum speed for two months and appeared in good condition on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.

Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – England look to have revealed their intentions with the XI named here. Still, he may have moved himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Prior to the doubt over Mark Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the first Test.

Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney caught behind just after lunch.

Though Stokes took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was energetic with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.

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

Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Matt Fisher unexpectedly struck a full delivery to mid-on before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.