Stokes Claims Six Scalps in English Ashes Preparation Match

Tour game, Lilac Hill (first day of three)

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

England XI: awaiting batting

Ben Stokes delivered six wickets in his return to play after July but England encountered an fitness worry regarding Mark Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus the development squad in Perth.

Stokes, returning after nearly four months out with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his 6-52 against the Lions – all to catches on the leg side.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after 9 months out with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of 8 overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on Friday.

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

England wanted to field first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, beginning on 21 November.

In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team fielded an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and left off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.

Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks boosted his claim to be called upon later in the tour by scoring 84.

McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties.

England's plan to play a solitary warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some ex-players but the captain responded by labeling the critics "former players".

A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of spectators at the ground was certainly a world away from what the team will encounter at a sold-out main stadium the following week.

The captain was superb in the contest against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to injury. He was absent from the last match with a shoulder tear.

The skipper has not managed a full part in any of England's past four series because of different fitness issues and the team's chances of winning back the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five Tests in the host country.

He has been bowling at maximum speed for two months 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 is not expected to feature in the first Test – the team look to have shown their intentions with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front 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 game may not have been the attack for the initial match.

Carse missed the opening day because of sickness, with his position going to Josh 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 new ball and again 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 bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, conceding 117 runs at an run rate of over eight.

Root at least took a scalp in the final session when Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to the fielder before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.