Ben Stokes Claims 6 Wickets in English Test Series Warm-up
Practice game, Perth venue (day one of three)
England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: awaiting batting
The England captain achieved six wickets in his initial appearance after July but the tourists encountered an injury concern regarding Mark Wood on the first day of their Test preparation versus England Lions in Western Australia.
Captain's Impressive Comeback
Stokes, making his comeback after approximately four months out with a shoulder problem, bowled 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against the Lions – each to catches on the on-side.
Mark Wood's Injury Concern
Pace bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months away with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before leaving 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 382 on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.
Squad Strategy
The tourists aimed to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, 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 Stokes – and omitted spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.
Batting Performance Standouts
Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be selected during the series by scoring 84.
McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also made half-centuries.
Low-key Atmosphere
England's plan to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some ex-players but Stokes responded by calling the doubters "former players".
A relaxed opening day in front of a smattering of fans at Lilac Hill was definitely a different experience from what the team will face at a packed main stadium the following week.
Stokes Excellent Return
The captain was superb in the series against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the last match with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not managed a full part in any of England's past four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five Tests in Australia.
He has been bowling at maximum speed for 60 days and looked in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Jacks Strengthens Claim
Will Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – England look to have revealed their intentions with the XI named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
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 initial match.
Carse was absent from the opening day because of illness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Although Stokes took the scalps, Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he caused problems for Jacks.
In the absence of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 runs at an economy of over eight.
Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.
