Stokes Takes 6 Scalps in England Ashes Preparation Match

Practice match, Perth venue (day one of 3)

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

National team: awaiting batting

The England captain delivered six wickets in his return to play after July but England encountered an injury concern about fast bowler Wood on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up versus England Lions in Perth.

The England captain, returning after nearly four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three bowling spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – all to catches taken on the on-side.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months away with a knee problem, bowled a scheduled amount of 8 overs before leaving the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring problem. He will undergo scanning on the following day.

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

England aimed to field first to get overs in their legs before the initial Test match at the main venue, starting on November 21st.

In a possible hint towards their first-Test plans, the visiting team selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and left spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.

Jacob Bethell failed to press his case for inclusion in the Test team, making only two, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon later in the tour by scoring eighty-four.

Ben McKinney, Jordan Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Matthew Potts also made fifties.

The team's decision to play a single practice match against the development squad has been questioned by some ex-players but Stokes responded by labeling the critics "former players".

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

The captain was superb in the contest against India in the domestic season, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.

The captain has not completed a complete participation in any of the team's previous four series because of various injuries and the team's chances of regaining the series are significantly reduced if he misses any of the five Tests in the host country.

He has been practicing at maximum speed for two months and appeared in fine shape on the match day, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his wickets were gifted.

Will Jacks is not expected to feature in the opening match – England look to have revealed their hand with the XI selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the struggling Jacob 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 team lineup for this match may not have been the attack for the first Test.

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

Though Stokes took the scalps, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after the interval, when he discomforted Will Jacks.

In the omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood departing, Joe Root was required to bowl fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an economy of over eight.

Joe Root at least took a scalp in the closing stages when Fisher somehow hit a full delivery to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the last delivery of the day.