Stokes Claims 6 Wickets in English Test Series Preparation Match

Tour match, Perth venue (first day of 3)

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

England XI: yet to bat

The England captain delivered six wickets in his return to play after July but the tourists faced an injury concern about fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Test preparation against England Lions in Western Australia.

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

Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee injury, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on the following day.

Wood's injury drained the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.

The tourists aimed to bowl first to accumulate bowling time before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, beginning on 21 November.

In a potential indication towards their first-Test plans, the tourists selected an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Bashir in the Lions.

Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks boosted his credentials to be selected during the series by scoring eighty-four.

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

England's decision to play a single warm-up game against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but Stokes hit back by calling the doubters "former players".

A relaxed first day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a world away from what the team will face at a packed Optus Stadium next week.

Stokes was superb in the contest against India in the domestic season, only to strain himself to breaking point. He was absent from the final Test with a shoulder tear.

The captain has not managed a full part in any of the team's previous four series because of different fitness issues and the team's hopes of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.

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 dismissals were gifted.

Jacks is unlikely to play in the first Test – England look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven named 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 doubt over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.

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

Although Stokes took the wickets, Archer caught the eye. He was lively with the new ball and again after the interval, when he discomforted Jacks.

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

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