Stokes Claims 6 Scalps in English Test Series Warm-up
Practice game, Perth venue (day one of 3)
England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: awaiting batting
The England captain achieved 6 scalps in his first action after July but the tourists encountered an fitness worry involving Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation against England Lions in Perth.
Captain's Outstanding Return
The England captain, making his comeback after nearly four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 against England Lions – all to catches on the on-side.
Wood's Injury Worry
Fast bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after 9 months away with a knee injury, bowled a scheduled amount of 8 overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will have a scan on the following day.
The Wood situation removed the energy out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a slow track after an uncontested toss at the venue.
Team Planning
England aimed to field first to build bowling fitness before the first Ashes Test at the main venue, starting on 21 November.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists selected an all-pace attack – four specialist bowlers plus the captain – and omitted off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Performance Standouts
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be selected later in the tour by scoring 84.
Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Thomas Rew and Potts also made half-centuries.
Low-key Environment
England's decision to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but the captain responded by labeling the doubters "has-beens".
A relaxed first day in front of a small crowd of spectators at the ground was definitely a world away from what the team will encounter at a sold-out Optus Stadium next week.
Stokes Excellent Return
Stokes was superb in the contest against India in the home summer, 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 England's previous four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' hopes of winning back the series are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five matches in Australia.
He has been bowling at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in good condition on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Will Jacks Strengthens Claim
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 moved himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the concern over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the first Test.
Carse was absent from the first day because of illness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.
Though Stokes took the scalps, Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was required to deliver fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was average performance, costing 117 runs at an run rate of more than eight.
Joe Root at least took a wicket in the closing stages when Fisher unexpectedly struck a full toss to mid-on before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.
