Stokes Takes 6 Wickets in England Test Series Warm-up

Practice match, Perth venue (first day of 3)

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

National team: still to bat

Ben Stokes produced six wickets in his first action following July but the tourists faced an fitness worry involving fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up against the development squad in Western Australia.

Stokes, returning after nearly four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two against England Lions – each to catches on the leg side.

Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after 9 months out with a knee problem, delivered a pre-planned number of eight overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will receive scanning on the following day.

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

England aimed to field first to accumulate bowling time before the initial Test match at Optus Stadium, starting on November 21st.

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

Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his case for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Jacks enhanced his credentials to be selected later in the tour by swiping 84.

McKinney, Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Potts also scored half-centuries.

The team's plan to play a solitary practice match against the Lions has been criticized by some former players but Stokes hit back by labeling the doubters "former players".

A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at the ground was certainly a different experience from what the team will encounter at a sold-out main stadium the following week.

Stokes was superb in the contest against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to injury. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.

The skipper has not completed 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 is absent from any of the five matches in the host country.

He has been bowling at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.

Will Jacks is unlikely to feature in the opening match – the team look to have revealed their hand with the XI named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Even before the doubt over Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the initial match.

Brydon Carse was absent from the opening day because of illness, with his place going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener McKinney edging to the keeper just after the break.

Though Stokes took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. 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 deliver 14 overs of his off-spin. It was average performance, costing 117 runs at an economy of over eight.

Joe Root at least claimed a wicket in the final session when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer bounced out Matthew Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.