Stokes Secures Six Wickets in England Test Series Preparation Match

Practice match, Lilac Hill (first day of 3)

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

National team: still to bat

Ben Stokes produced six wickets in his return to play following July but the tourists faced an fitness worry involving fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Perth.

Stokes, returning after almost four months away with a shoulder injury, delivered sixteen overs across three spells for his six for fifty-two versus the Lions – all to catches on the on-side.

Fast bowler Wood, also making his comeback after 9 months away with a knee problem, bowled a pre-planned number of 8 overs before departing the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will receive scanning on Friday.

The Wood situation removed the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a sluggish pitch after an automatic toss at Lilac Hill.

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

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

Jacob Bethell failed to press his claim for selection in the Test team, making just two runs, but Will Jacks enhanced his claim to be called upon later in the tour by swiping eighty-four.

McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Thomas Rew and Matthew Potts also scored fifties.

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 "past players".

A relaxed opening day in front of a small crowd of spectators at Lilac Hill was certainly a different experience from what the team will face at a sold-out main stadium the following week.

Stokes was excellent in the contest against the Indian team in the domestic season, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the last match with a torn shoulder.

The captain has not managed a full part in any of England's previous four series because of various injuries and the tourists' hopes of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five Tests in Australia.

He has been practicing at full pace 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.

Jacks is unlikely to feature in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the XI named here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the struggling Bethell with his 84, which came at almost a run a ball.

Even before the doubt over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the England XI for this game may not have been the attack for the first Test.

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

Although the captain took the wickets, Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the new ball and once more after lunch, when he caused problems for Will Jacks.

In the omission of Bashir and with Mark Wood leaving the field, Root was required to deliver 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an economy of over eight.

Root at least took a scalp in the closing stages when Fisher somehow hit a full toss to mid-on before Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the last delivery of the day.