Stokes Claims Six Wickets in English Ashes Preparation Match

Practice match, Lilac Hill (day one of 3)

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

National team: awaiting batting

Ben Stokes produced six wickets in his return to play after July but the tourists encountered an injury concern about fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up against the development squad in Perth.

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

Pace bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after nine months out with a knee problem, delivered a scheduled amount of eight overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on the following day.

The Wood situation drained the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at the venue.

The tourists wanted to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on November 21st.

In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and left spin bowler Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by hitting 84.

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

The team's decision to play a single practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but the captain responded by labeling the doubters "former players".

A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of fans at the ground was certainly a world away from what England will face at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.

The captain was superb in the series against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to push himself to injury. He was absent from the final Test with a torn shoulder.

The skipper has not managed a full part in any of the team's past four series because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of regaining the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five Tests in the host country.

He has been practicing at full pace for two months and appeared in good condition on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.

Jacks is unlikely to feature in the opening match – the team look to have shown their intentions with the eleven selected here. Still, he may have moved himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.

Prior to the concern over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the initial match.

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

Though Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the new ball and again after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.

In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was asked to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, conceding 117 runs at an run rate of over eight.

Root at least claimed a scalp in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.